The Dipsea links Mill Valley with Stinson Beach, north of San Francisco. The route climbs a steep set of town stairs, then threads wooded singletrack on the flank of Mount Tamalpais before dropping hard toward the ocean. Trails are narrow and often damp under the redwoods, with roots and uneven steps throughout.
9 km. What sets it apart is the format: runners set off in staggered waves according to a handicap calculated by age and gender, so the winner is not necessarily the fastest on the clock. First held in 1905, it is the oldest trail race in the United States, which is part of why entry has always been in heavy demand.
