First run in 1905, the Dipsea is the oldest trail race in America. It is run every year on the second Sunday in June. The scenic 7.1 mile course from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach is considered to be one of the most beautiful courses in the world. The stairs and steep trails make it a grueling and treacherous race. And its unique handicapping system has made winners of men and women of all ages. Because of its beauty and challenge, it is a very popular event, and because of safety and environmental concerns the number of runners is limited to about 1,500. While racers enter for all over the world, the Dipsea is primarily a Northern California event and the entry process is tilted slightly to favor local contestants. Please see the section on How To Enter for details.
The 99th Annual Dipsea will be run on Sunday, June 14th, 2009 at 8:30 am sharp!
Final Results posted: The 2008 Dipsea final results have been posted. Click here to see the results and photos from the 2008 race!
Congratulations to all 2008 Dipsea finishers! Congratulations to first-time champion Roy Rivers on his Dipsea win, and to all who ran this year's Dipsea race.
Dipsea Steps Rebuild Project a Success: The Dipsea Race Foundation has no more steps available for sponsorship on the rebuilt topmost stairway on the Dipsea Steps. The last 42 medallions will be installed before the next Dipsea is run on June 8. We are sold out and the only way to sponsor a step on the top flight is to submit the highest bid for the one that will be auctioned off at the Dipsea Dinner this year, or to win the hundredth running of the Annual Dipsea Race in 2010.
Marin Independent Journal Coverage: Once again, the Marin Independent Journal has complete coverage of the Dipsea Race in print and on its Web site, www.marinij.com. On race day, check the site for complete results, a photo slideshow and up-to-the-minute commentary and analysis from Mill Valley, Stinson Beach and all points in between.
Past Race Info Now Available: Ever wonder how fast you need to run to qualify for Invitational? Or how far out of your grasp one of those spiffy black shirts are? Or perhaps you just want to find out how "elite" a Dipsea finisher really is... Well, your prayers have been answered, as we've added a table of historical times to the Previous Races page.
New Interactive Course Map debuts on dipsea.org! The webmaster has created a new interactive course map for the website. Check it out on the Course page.
IMPORTANT - Dipsea Route Change: The Mt. Tamalpais State Park has rerouted portions of the Dipsea trail starting past the Cardiac Hill (water station) and continuing to the Swoop. This was necessary because of erosion control. Runners must stay on the trail. No shortcuts are permitted from Cardiac Hill to the Swoop. Race officials will be stationed along the way and will disqualify runners who do not obey this rule.
Dipsea Demon Passes to "672nd Step": Jack Kirk,The Dipsea Demon, a legendary figure in American cross-country racing and a world record holder for consecutive completions of a sporting event, died on January 29th, 2007 at age of 100, at a hospital in Clovis, CA.
Starting in 1930 and continuing until 2002, when he was 95, Kirk started and finished every Dipsea race that was run. In 2003, at the age of 96, Jack was the first runner out of the gate, but he got only as far as the top of Cardiac Hill, the highest elevation point on the course. He was not well, yet he still achieved that challenging summit at 96.
He was also a dedicated naturalist, well versed in Botany, Geology and Astronomy.
Besides his remarkable record for consistency, Kirk was also a champion. He won the race twice, once in 1951 and then years later in 1967, when he was 60 years old. He also won the best time award in 1931 and 1940. A member of the Dipsea Hall of Fame and a winner of the Norman Bright award for extraordinary accomplishment, Kirk was also a colorful character. Paraphrasing General Douglas MacArthur's resignation speech, and referring to the formidable Dipsea Stairs that challenge runners at the beginning of the race with 671 steps Kirk said "old Dipsea runners never die. they just reach the 672nd step." Although he was not able to run in the last few years, he turned up at the finish line, still wearing his habitual long pants, tennis shoes, and button front shirt. He'll be missed but his spirit will live on with the race. And indeed, so will his name. On the occassion of Jack's birthday last year, the Dipsea Race Foundation awarded him a permanent and honored place on the Dipsea trail. This summer, the upper flight of the Dipsea stairs will be totally rebuilt. Engraved bronze plaques installed in the risers will carry the names and messages of supporters who donate $1,000 or more to finance the construction. And the bronze medallion on the very top step will read: "Jack Kirk/The Dipsea Demon."
Check back for more news about Dipsea Race events!