2016 Dipsea Race

 This year was the 106th running of the Dipsea race. It's not the first time I have shot the race, but it is one of my favorite annual assignments to cover.

 For those of you who don't know, the Dipsea is a race that starts in Mill Valley and continues over Mt. Tamalpais and Muir Woods and finishes in Stinson Beach.  I photographed the starting line up to the Dipsea stairs for the Marin IJ. It is the oldest trail race in America.

 Its such a festive atmosphere at the start, with many locals running the race.

 Another fun part of the contest is it has runners as young as seven years old, and some that are 79 years old.

 From downtown Mill Valley the athletes make it up Throckmorton Ave. ...

 ...and into Old Mill Park.

 After the park is where the accent begins up the Dipsea path.

 The path includes a daunting series of steps.

 The stairs are grueling for the runners.

 Climbing the first set of stairs feels like a huge accomplishment.

From there you can run on a road or take a shortcut straight up the hill.

Unfortunately that's where my coverage ended for the race. To see more check out the Marin IJ's coverage.