How hilly is the The Dipsea Race 12K?
The The Dipsea Race 12K is described as mountainous. The course listing puts the climb at 671 m.
The Dipsea Race 12K
This race edition
- Race date
- Date not confirmed for this distance
- Race timezone
- Timezone not confirmed
- Edition status
- Status not confirmed
Entry options
2026 edition
Entry options are not yet confirmed for this edition. Check the organiser before making plans.
Official event website ↗Data current as of
Decision summary
The Dipsea Race 12K at a glance
- Typical conditions
- 74/100
- Evidence depth
- 47 verified facts
Historical race-date favourability, not a forecast
Source facts available
Route details
Known course facts at a glance
The Dipsea Race 12K has known course details for its 12k race. The summary below keeps the focus on what is confirmed for the course.
- Official distance
- 11.9 km
- Terrain
- Trail, Beach
- Scenery
- Mountain, Coastal, Countryside, Forest, Waterfront, Canyon
Quick answers
What runners ask first
Where does the The Dipsea Race 12K route go?
The The Dipsea Race 12K route starts at Downtown Plaza, Mill Valley (8:00 AM start) and finishes at Stinson Beach. Underfoot, expect trail. It passes Windy Gap, Dipsea Steps (688 stairs in three flights), Muir Woods National Monument, Cardiac Hill and White Gate. A very rugged, narrow, mountainous, steep and twisting 7.4-mile trail.
What should runners know on race day for the The Dipsea Race 12K?
Sweats/clothing buses transport runners' bags from the start to the finish at Stinson Beach (first bus 7 AM, last 8 AM). False.
Race character
Scenery
- Mountain
- Coastal
- Countryside
- Forest
- Waterfront
- Canyon
Atmosphere
- Competitive
- Scenic Tour
- Destination
Terrain
- Trail
- Beach
- Elevation character
- Mountainous
- Technicality
- Very Technical
- Source-stated ascent
- 671 m
- Net elevation
- 0 m
Entry, logistics and records
Records and field
- Men's course record
- 44:49 (Ron Elijah)
- Field size
- 1,500
- Field cap
- 1,500
Entry requirements
- Entry status
- Past event: The listed edition date has passed.
- Minimum age
- 7+
- Cut-off
- Course time cutoffs enforced: 10:30 AM at Cardiac Hill, 11:15 AM at Insult Hill.
- Ballot
- Yes
- Qualification status
- Field capped at 1,500 runners. Entry is a mix of 450 Invitational (pre Qualified prior top finishers), 500 first Come first Accepted, 100 silent auction, and 300 by random lottery; applications due by April 1 with a mailed signed form and check.
Race day logistics
- Pacers
- No
- Bag drop
- Sweats/clothing buses transport runners' bags from the start to the finish at Stinson Beach (first bus 7 AM, last 8 AM).
- Expo / packet pickup
- No
- Medal
- Yes
- Finisher tee
- Yes
- On-course music
- No
Access and course status
- Start
- Downtown Plaza, Mill Valley (8:00 AM start)
- Finish
- Stinson Beach
Course facts
- Course type
- Point To Point
- Surface
- Trail
- Landmarks
- Windy Gap, Dipsea Steps (688 stairs in three flights), Muir Woods National Monument, Cardiac Hill, White Gate, Insult Hill, Stinson Beach
- Notable features
- Famous staggered handicap start that gives head-start time to runners by age and sex, allowing men and women of all ages to compete for the overall win
- A very rugged, narrow, mountainous, steep and twisting 7.4-mile trail
- widely described as one of the most beautiful courses in the world. Begins with three flights of the Dipsea Steps. No headphones permitted
What are typical race-day conditions?
- 17°CTypical temperature
- 20 kphTypical wind
- 0 mmTypical rainfall
- 74Favourability /100