Charles McGlashan, Marin Country Supervisor, Passes Away

The backbone of the Dipsea is caring, giving people like Charles McGlashan.

The Dipsea will mourn his loss.

Charles, a Marin County Supervisor and longtime advocate of the Dipsea Race, died on March 27 at the age of 49 of an apparent heart attack during a ski outing in Lake Tahoe.

"Charles was a fellow who would always make an appearance in support of a worthwhile cause, the Dipsea Race, Sausalito Art Festival, Sausalito Lighted Boat Parade & Fireworks and much, much more," said Merv Regan, president of the Dipsea Race Board of Directors. "We will miss him, but he will long be remembered. We will place a plaque in his honor on the first flight of the Dipsea Stairs."

When the refurbished top flight of the famed Dipsea Stairs was dedicated, Charles was there, smiling, while holding a ribbon with Leon Huntting of the Dipsea Race Foundation as past Dipsea champions Jamie Berns, Roy Rivers and Russ Kiernan did a ceremonial crossing of the top step.

Charles really stepped up last year. He and Supervisor Steve Kinsey requested a resolution to celebrate the 100th running of the Dipsea Race. They commended the Dipsea Race Foundation for their ongoing efforts to sustain the Dipsea Race, the Dipsea Trail and the race community and that’s not all.

Charles and Steve requested at a board meeting and unanimously received a $25,000 contribution from the County of Marin to support "Dipsea Kidz," an athletic mentorship program aimed at inspiring and educating disadvantaged youth through running.

And, when Regan was inducted last year into the Dipsea Hall of Fame after serving 30 years on the race committee, Charles was there to join in the celebration.

Whether he was holding a ribbon or handing out a Dipsea Race Foundation scholarship, Charles, with a quick and contagious smile, was always a big supporter of the race, its traditions and what it stands for. He helped push it to the next level. He is part of the Dipsea’s history – and backbone.

The Dipsea Race Committee and Dipsea Race Foundation wishes to extend its heartfelt condolences to Charles’ wife, Carol, and their family.