Mill Valley is known for the Dipsea Race which takes place the second Sunday every June. The race which has been officially in existence since 1905, is the oldest foot race in the country second to the Boston Marathon. The cross country course is 7.5 miles of pure challenge. The 1500 registered runners, selected by both qualifying and through a lottery system, start in downtown Mill Valley with a sprint down Throckmorton Avenue through Old Mill Park, up the Dipsea Stairs (which equals a fifty story building) down into Muir Woods and up again through the trees over trails named Cardiac and Dynamite. After Cardiac, the course then plunges back down over rocks and roots of Steep Ravine and then one last climb up Insult Hill before gently sloping down toward the Pacific to Stinson Beach. Such a course with the narrow and steep trails requires that the number of runners be restricted, both due to potential environmental impact and injury.

This annual race draws a lot of attention, good crowds and a lot of local lure. Among the top five finishers this year was a young 12 year old girl. Who knows, maybe next year it will be hers.

Posted by:Judy LeMarr