Dipsea Race
Encyclopedia
The Dipsea Race is the oldest cross-country trail running
event—and one of the oldest foot races
of any kind—in the United States. The 7.5 mile (12 km) long Dipsea Race has been held annually almost every year since 1905, starting in Mill Valley
, and finishing at Stinson Beach
, in Marin County
, California. The Dipsea celebrated its 101st running on June 12, 2011. Since 1983, the race has been held on the second Sunday in June.
, and then pass through Muir Woods National Monument
, Mount Tamalpais State Park
, and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area
. The Dipsea Trail is the most direct route connecting the town of Mill Valley, located near the northwestern shores of Richardson Bay
, with the village of Stinson Beach, situated along the Pacific coast
. Stinson Beach is a popular tourist destination, located about a 30-minute drive north of San Francisco on Highway 1
, via the Golden Gate Bridge
. The ascent over the southern shoulder of Mount Tam reaches its apex around the top of Cardiac Hill, about 4.5 miles into the race.
Among the challenges facing participants are the Dipsea Trail's uneven footing, single-track footpath
s, and almost invariably steep terrain, featuring about 2,200-foot (671 m) elevation gain and loss over the course. The uniqueness of the Dipsea Race course owes largely to the opportunity for competitors to choose from any of several alternate routes on diverging and converging trails, adding a competitive premium for strategy, experience, and familiarity with the course.
system often produces younger or older winners, which adds to the unusual intrigue and suspense created by the race's permissible shortcuts, like 'Suicide' and 'The Swoop'. Most participants, with the exception of 'scratch' runners, are given a head start
based on their age and gender. The oldest and youngest runners are given up to a 25-minute advantage over the fastest competitors, making it possible for virtually any age group to produce a race winner; 8-year-old girls and 70-year-old men have won the race in the past.
Because of the nature of the course, the field of competitors is limited to 1,500. It is a popular race, and as many as 3,000 people apply for entry every year. This makes it difficult for people, particularly those who have never run it before, to get accepted into the race.
As of June 2011, the defending champion is 60-year old nurse, Jamie Rivers. She has won the Dipsea twice (2007, 2011).
The previous five champions are Reilly Johnson (age 8), 2010, Brian Pilcher, 2009, Roy Rivers, 2008, Melody-Anne Schultz, 1999, 2003, 2006, and Russ Kiernan, 1998, 2002, 2005.
Jack Kirk, known as the 'Dipsea Demon', holds the record of most consecutive competitions in the Dipsea, having finished 67 consecutive Dipseas from 1930 until 2002. (There was no official Dipsea Race in 1932 or 1933, due to economic reasons, nor in 1942–1945 due to World War II.) Kirk finished his last complete race in 2002. He started but did not finish in 2003, but did reach the highest elevation, at the top of "Cardiac Hill," at the age of 96. He is the oldest person to have competed in the race. Kirk passed away on January 29, 2007, at age 100. Jack's story was documented in the 2004 film "The Dipsea Demon"
, which takes place in late November. Despite the use of the Dipsea name, these two races are not officially affiliated with the Dipsea Race.
, San Franciscan icon Walt Stack
put together the first Double Dipsea race in 1970.
. The Quad starts and finishes in Mill Valley, following the Dipsea Trail westward to Stinson Beach, out-and-back twice over the same course as the Dipsea Race and the Double Dipsea. The race has 9,276 feet (2,827 m) of both climb and descent. First held in 1983 with only 8 runners, the race is now limited to about 250 runners.
The next Quad Dipsea, its 28th running, is scheduled for November 26, 2011.
as a runner obsessed with the race.
Trail running
Trail running is a variant on running that differs markedly from road running and track running. Trail running generally takes place on hiking trails, most commonly single track trails, although fire roads are not uncommon. A distinguishing characteristic of the trails is that they are often...
event—and one of the oldest foot races
Running
Running is a means of terrestrial locomotion allowing humans and other animals to move rapidly on foot. It is simply defined in athletics terms as a gait in which at regular points during the running cycle both feet are off the ground...
of any kind—in the United States. The 7.5 mile (12 km) long Dipsea Race has been held annually almost every year since 1905, starting in Mill Valley
Mill Valley, California
Mill Valley is a city in Marin County, California, United States located about north of San Francisco via the Golden Gate Bridge. The population was 13,903 at the 2010 census.Mill Valley is located on the western and northern shores of Richardson Bay...
, and finishing at Stinson Beach
Stinson Beach, California
Stinson Beach is a census-designated place in Marin County, California, on the west coast of the United States. Stinson Beach is located east-southeast of Bolinas, at an elevation of 26 feet . The population of the Stinson Beach CDP was 632 at the 2010 census.Stinson Beach is about a 35-minute...
, in Marin County
Marin County, California
Marin County is a county located in the North San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California, across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. As of 2010, the population was 252,409. The county seat is San Rafael and the largest employer is the county government. Marin County is well...
, California. The Dipsea celebrated its 101st running on June 12, 2011. Since 1983, the race has been held on the second Sunday in June.
Course
The Dipsea is well known for its scenic course and challenging trails. The race starts on Throckmorton Avenue in Mill Valley, near Miller Avenue, in front of the old train depot (now a bookstore). After traversing a few blocks in Mill Valley's downtown, runners climb 688 stairs leading up the side of Mount TamalpaisMount Tamalpais
Mount Tamalpais is a peak in Marin County, California, United States, often considered symbolic of Marin County. Much of Mount Tamalpais is protected within public lands such as Mount Tamalpais State Park and the Mount Tamalpais Watershed.-Geography:...
, and then pass through Muir Woods National Monument
Muir Woods National Monument
Muir Woods National Monument is a unit of the National Park Service on the Pacific coast of southwestern Marin County, California, north of San Francisco and part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area...
, Mount Tamalpais State Park
Mount Tamalpais State Park
Mount Tamalpais State Park is a California state park, located in Marin County, California. The primary feature of the park is the Mount Tamalpais. The park contains mostly redwood and oak forests. The mountain itself covers around . There are about of hiking trails, which are connected to a...
, and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area is a U.S. National Recreation Area administered by the National Park Service that surrounds the San Francisco Bay area. It is one of the most visited units of the National Park system in the United States, with over 13 million visitors a year...
. The Dipsea Trail is the most direct route connecting the town of Mill Valley, located near the northwestern shores of Richardson Bay
Richardson Bay
Richardson Bay is a shallow, ecologically rich arm of San Francisco Bay, managed under a Joint Powers Agency of four Northern California cities. The Richardson Bay Sanctuary was acquired in the early 1960s by the National Audubon Society. The bay was named for William A...
, with the village of Stinson Beach, situated along the Pacific coast
Pacific Coast
A country's Pacific coast is the part of its coast bordering the Pacific Ocean.-The Americas:Countries on the western side of the Americas have a Pacific coast as their western border.* Geography of Canada* Geography of Chile* Geography of Colombia...
. Stinson Beach is a popular tourist destination, located about a 30-minute drive north of San Francisco on Highway 1
California State Route 1
State Route 1 , more often called Highway 1, is a state highway that runs along much of the Pacific coast of the U.S. state of California. It is famous for running along some of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, leading to its designation as an All-American Road.Highway 1 does not run...
, via the Golden Gate Bridge
Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the opening of the San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean. As part of both U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1, the structure links the city of San Francisco, on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula, to...
. The ascent over the southern shoulder of Mount Tam reaches its apex around the top of Cardiac Hill, about 4.5 miles into the race.
Among the challenges facing participants are the Dipsea Trail's uneven footing, single-track footpath
Trail
A trail is a path with a rough beaten or dirt/stone surface used for travel. Trails may be for use only by walkers and in some places are the main access route to remote settlements...
s, and almost invariably steep terrain, featuring about 2,200-foot (671 m) elevation gain and loss over the course. The uniqueness of the Dipsea Race course owes largely to the opportunity for competitors to choose from any of several alternate routes on diverging and converging trails, adding a competitive premium for strategy, experience, and familiarity with the course.
Course mileage
| Location | Segment distance | Distance total |
| Old Mill Park | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| Bay View Drive @ Panoramic Highway | 0.9 | 1.1 |
| Muir Woods Parking Lot | 1.0 | 2.1 |
| Cardiac Hill | 2.3 | 4.4 |
| Bridge at Steep Ravine | 1.6 | 6 |
| Stinson Beach | 1.5 | 7.5 |
Race details and champions
The Dipsea's handicappingHandicapping
Handicapping, in sport and games, is the practice of assigning advantage through scoring compensation or other advantage given to different contestants to equalize the chances of winning. The word also applies to the various methods by which the advantage is calculated...
system often produces younger or older winners, which adds to the unusual intrigue and suspense created by the race's permissible shortcuts, like 'Suicide' and 'The Swoop'. Most participants, with the exception of 'scratch' runners, are given a head start
Head start (positioning)
In positioning, a head start is a start in advance of the starting position of others in competition, or simply toward the finish line or desired outcome...
based on their age and gender. The oldest and youngest runners are given up to a 25-minute advantage over the fastest competitors, making it possible for virtually any age group to produce a race winner; 8-year-old girls and 70-year-old men have won the race in the past.
Because of the nature of the course, the field of competitors is limited to 1,500. It is a popular race, and as many as 3,000 people apply for entry every year. This makes it difficult for people, particularly those who have never run it before, to get accepted into the race.
As of June 2011, the defending champion is 60-year old nurse, Jamie Rivers. She has won the Dipsea twice (2007, 2011).
The previous five champions are Reilly Johnson (age 8), 2010, Brian Pilcher, 2009, Roy Rivers, 2008, Melody-Anne Schultz, 1999, 2003, 2006, and Russ Kiernan, 1998, 2002, 2005.
Jack Kirk, known as the 'Dipsea Demon', holds the record of most consecutive competitions in the Dipsea, having finished 67 consecutive Dipseas from 1930 until 2002. (There was no official Dipsea Race in 1932 or 1933, due to economic reasons, nor in 1942–1945 due to World War II.) Kirk finished his last complete race in 2002. He started but did not finish in 2003, but did reach the highest elevation, at the top of "Cardiac Hill," at the age of 96. He is the oldest person to have competed in the race. Kirk passed away on January 29, 2007, at age 100. Jack's story was documented in the 2004 film "The Dipsea Demon"
Other races on the Dipsea Trail
Two other races use the same course route: the Double Dipsea, held in late June, and the Quad Dipsea, an ultramarathonUltramarathon
An ultramarathon is any sporting event involving running longer than the traditional marathon length of .There are two types of ultramarathon events: those that cover a specified distance, and events that take place during specified time...
, which takes place in late November. Despite the use of the Dipsea name, these two races are not officially affiliated with the Dipsea Race.
Double Dipsea
The Double Dipsea is a 13.7-mile run held on the Saturday thirteen days after the Dipsea. Now organized by the Dolphin South End Running ClubDolphin South End Running Club
The Dolphin South End Runners is the oldest and largest running club in San Francisco, founded in 1966, by the legendary and infamous Walt Stack. DSE holds organized races nearly every weekend in and around San Francisco...
, San Franciscan icon Walt Stack
Walt Stack
Walt Stack was a hod carrier by trade and an icon of the San Francisco, California, running community by popular acclaim. Stack ran approximately in his lifetime...
put together the first Double Dipsea race in 1970.
Quad Dipsea
The Quad Dipsea is a 28.4-mile (45.7 km) trail ultra, held annually in November on the Saturday following ThanksgivingThanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. In Canada, Thanksgiving falls on the same day as Columbus Day in the...
. The Quad starts and finishes in Mill Valley, following the Dipsea Trail westward to Stinson Beach, out-and-back twice over the same course as the Dipsea Race and the Double Dipsea. The race has 9,276 feet (2,827 m) of both climb and descent. First held in 1983 with only 8 runners, the race is now limited to about 250 runners.
The next Quad Dipsea, its 28th running, is scheduled for November 26, 2011.
In popular culture
The 1986 movie On the Edge, without using the name "Dipsea," revolves around a race that is unmistakably the Dipsea Race. It stars Bruce DernBruce Dern
Bruce MacLeish Dern is an American film actor. He also appeared as a guest star in numerous television shows. He frequently takes roles as a character actor, often playing unstable and villainous characters...
as a runner obsessed with the race.
See also
- Maryetta Boitano
- Tamalpa RunnersTamalpa RunnersThe Tamalpa Runners, a Marin County, California based running club, comprises over 700 members of all ages and running abilities. Tamalpa was founded in 1976 by Kees Tuinzing and Don Pickett ....
- List of annual foot races in California
External links
- Dipsea.org – Official website
- DoubleDipsea.com – Double Dipsea Official website
- MarinIJ.com – Dipsea Race news portal, Marin Independent JournalMarin Independent JournalThe Marin Independent Journal is the main newspaper of Marin County, California. The paper is owned by California Newspapers Partnership which is in turn mostly owned by MediaNews Group.-History:...
- Run100s.com – Quad Dipsea Official website
- TamalpaRunners.org – Tamalpa RunnersTamalpa RunnersThe Tamalpa Runners, a Marin County, California based running club, comprises over 700 members of all ages and running abilities. Tamalpa was founded in 1976 by Kees Tuinzing and Don Pickett ....
- Runtrails.blogspot.com – Quad Dipsea Race Report (w/pictures)