The 99th Running of the Dipsea

One of my favorite assignments to photograph for the Marin IJ is the annual Dipsea race. The past few years I have been photographing the beginning of the race which is a fun event itself, with all the excitement and anticipation. I would cover the start, and the first ascent up the Dipsea stairs.

For those of you who don't know, the Dipsea is a race that starts in Mill Valley continues over Mt. Tamalpais and Muir Woods and makes it way to Stinson Beach. It is the oldest trail race in America.

The emotions are very different at the end. All the top finishers want to grab one of the coveted Dipsea black t-shirts, that are awarded to the top 35 finishers every year which leads to a mad scramble to secure their position.



But there are also all the other runners that are trying to just challenge themselves and their bodies and make the daunting 7.4 - mile run and finish in one piece.



You can tell some of the participants by the end are just trying to hold on and finish the race. A few can't make it all the way and need medical and race officials to help them cross the finish line.



Some crash right after the finish line and are hurried to the medical tent for an IV to give their bodies and infusion.



Other show the scars from the trip they have just taken.



Its fun, its amazing, and I just love photographing it.


Here is a link to the story in the Marin IJ

And here is the photo gallery of all the Marin IJ photographs

And here is a link to last year's multimedia slideshow where I covered the start and the run up the Dipsea steps.

United States Men's National Team vs. Costa Rica

I was highly anticipating the USA Men's World Cup Qualifier game versus Costa Rica, and a win would have put the USA in good position to qualify for South Africa in 2010.



My first experience of going to a qualifier in Central America was the Guatemala game last August. It was an intense experience, and Costa Rica was even crazier.

The stadium was packed two hours before the game and the crowd was ready to cheer nonstop the whole game. When the Ticos scored 2 minutes into the game the stadium erupted and when they added a second goal 15 minutes later it was even more insane.



The crowd for the most part was well behaved but there were a group of USA fans in the south section that were receiving a lot of verbal abuse from the Ticos, especially during the national anthem and there was a little bit of pushing but security was on it and made sure that nothing escalated.





It was a great experience as a journalist, but as a US Soccer fan it was a huge disapointment. Here is looking forward to Mexico and Azteca in August

Local Resident Tries to Save Historic Plant Studios

Mari Tamburo is leading an effort to preserve Sausalito's Plant Studios, where several classic albums such as Fleetwood Mac's Rumours were made.

I photographed her outside the studios and really like the composition of her outside the side door of the studios. I hope they are able to preserve the building!

To read the story click here