2 Dispsea Runners To Be Inducted Into Iconic Race’s HOF

MILL VALLEY, CA — One was a longtime volunteer, and the other an elite runner.

Bob Long, a Dipsea Race volunteer for almost 55 years, and the late Bob Malain will be inducted into the Dipsea Hall of Fame next month.

The iconic race will honor both in a June 10 ceremony at the Mill Valley Outdoor Art Center.

In addition to Dipsea Hall of Fame inductions, the Dipsea Race Foundation will award five scholarships to deserving high school seniors who have run in or volunteered at the Dipsea.

Long is believed to be the longest serving race day volunteer in the Dipsea, most of them as team captain at Windy Gap along the Dipsea Trail where he earned the nickname “The Legend of Windy Gap” for his organization, dedication, and humility.

Malain, who will be inducted posthumously, was among the elite runners in the Dipsea for three decades. He won 17 Dipsea Black Shirts and 21 individual Top 25 finishes -- second only to Russ Kiernan in the Dipsea “modern era” – topped by a second-place finish in 1994 to record seven-time Dipsea champion Sal Vasquez.

The 111th Dipsea Race June 12, starting at 8 a.m.

The Dipsea is held annually along a rugged 7.4-mile course from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach. America’s longest running trail race was first held in 1905.

The race is typically held on the second weekend in June but was held in November last year amid ongoing concerns surrounding the pandemic.

Mark Tatum, 61 of Colorado Springs, Colorado, last year became the first non-Californian to win the Dipsea since Gail Scott of Durango, Colorado in 1986.

Tatum was the first male from outside the state to win the historic trail race since Joe Patterson of Queensland, Australia in 1975.

Two-time Dipsea champion Chris Lundy of Mill Valley posted the fastest time (1:01.25) and highest finish (eighth) by a female runner in last year’s race.

The HOF induction ceremony begins with hors d’oeuvres, cocktails at a no-host bar, and live music at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6 p.m.

To RSVP, email LeonHunting@loanhunting.com.