The Dipsea Race
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About the race
The Dipsea Race is the oldest trail race in America, first run in 1905 and held each year on the second Sunday in June. The race follows a scenic 7.4 mile trail from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach that includes multiple stair flights and steep singletrack sections; these features make the route technically demanding and require care from participants.
The event uses a handicap start format in which groups of runners begin at staggered intervals; a winners penalty minute has also been part of the start system. This handicapping system has resulted in winners of different ages and sexes across the years. The race is primarily a Northern California event and the entry process is structured to slightly favor local applicants. For safety and environmental reasons the field is limited to about 1,500 runners.
Timing infrastructure provides split information at several points along the course, including the top of the Dipsea stairs, Windy Gap, Muir Woods, Cardiac, White Gate, and Stile; these splits are available in near real time to friends and family. Minimum age requirements were adjusted in recent years: a minimum age of 6 was set for 2023, and a minimum age of 7 began with the 113th running in 2024. The Dipsea also maintains a history of race summaries, results, and occasional virtual run options used when an in-person race was not possible. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
