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Historic trail race climbs from redwoods to ocean
Runners climb steep stairs and rugged Marin trails from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach in America’s oldest continuously run trail race.
Event details
The Dipsea Race climbs away from Mill Valley through redwood shade, steep stairways, technical trail, and exposed ridgelines before dropping toward the Pacific at Stinson Beach. Its head-start handicap format and generations of tradition give this compact race unusual drama for spectators as well as runners, since the fastest finisher is rarely the first to cross the line.
Families can watch the staggered starts from Old Mill Park, then choose a place along the route or wait at the Stinson Beach finish to see who closes the gap first, a genuinely suspenseful structure that keeps even young spectators guessing until the end.
Parking and transportation are complicated between the Mill Valley start and Stinson Beach finish, so athletes and supporters often choose a Marin Stay for the weekend rather than a same-day round trip. Pack layers for redwood shade and coastal wind, and build in time for Mount Tamalpais or Muir Woods around the race. It is a short race with an outsized sense of occasion, the kind of tradition that rewards a family for staying to watch the entire field come home.
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