Tamalpa Runners - Mt. Tam Hill Climb

by David Bronstein

It's been said that the view from the top of Mount Tamalpais will take your breath away, but when you see the staggering runners and exhausted bodies scattered around the Lookout Tower on any Labor Day morning, you'll learn that it's not the view, it's the Mt. Tam Hill Climb.

Although many people think that the Hill Climb was started by a sadistic running cult the truth is that it was started to settle an argument: "What's the fastest way from downtown Mill Valley to the top of Mt. Tam"? A race was organized, the argument was quickly settled and the consensus course was established.

Starting in the center of Mill Valley at the Depot, the Hill Climb is an open course race to the Mt. Tam Lookout Tower, but almost every Hill Climb racer takes the most direct, fastest and cruelest route. It starts flat enough, but after four or five strides the climb starts, up a small hill on Bernard Street, across Lovell and Bayview and than onto a steep set of steps that end on Summit Avenue. At the top of the steps the runner crosses Summit Avenue and turns left onto Tamalpais Avenue. Tamalpais here is not overly steep, but it is a steady climb and must be taken cautiously, because this is the easy part. The runners stay on Tamalpais Avenue for a third of a mile or so until it meets back up with Summit Avenue where the runners veer onto Summit. After about a half mile or so of steady climb on paved Summit Avenue, the runner takes a dirt trail shortcut across the last switchback of Summit and then gets on the Temelpa Trail.

Temelpa Trail starts steeply, but for awhile the trail is smooth and has steps in the steepest parts. Temelpa trail becomes progressively steeper and rockier as it goes on. Once across Hoo-Koo-E-Koo Fire Road, the trail becomes more of a wash: Eroded and rocky with roots crossing it in places. Finally the runners leave Temelpa and get in the rocky slash that goes straight up the face of the Mountain. The ever-increasing slope of the slash finally turns the runner into a climber who often must go hand-over-foot to reach the top. The finish line is the door of the Lookout Tower, touch it and the race is done.

After starting in Mill Valley the first year the race start was moved to settle similar arguments: "What's the fastest way from Ross Commons to the top of Mt. Tam"? And "What's the fastest way to the top of Mt. Tam going up Railroad Grade"? (The Railroad Grade route gave some credence to the opinion that George Frazier's changes to the course had something to do with trying to find the route that would allow him to win the race.) The Railroad Grade race even served as a TCRS race.

Starting in 1982 numbered T-shirts were given out to the top runners. In some of the early years runners were given handicaps and the T-shirts were awarded by adjusted times. For the last many years the T-shirts have been given out by age and gender divisions. This seems to be a fair and popular method and is likely to be the manner in which shirts are distributed for future races.

After several nomadic years, George decided that the fastest routes had all been determined and that the name "Labor Day" was becoming all too appropriate, so he decide that it was time to end the race. (Contrary to popular opinion George's decision had absolutely nothing to do with his inability to win the race no matter the course.)

Fortunately, the "Nicest Guy" in Tamalpa, Roger Gordon, stepped in and saved the day. In addition to taking up the race director duties, Roger continued hosting the awards ceremony/bacchanal at his beautiful home in Mill Valley. Under Roger's stewardship the Hill Climb has become one of the jewels of the Tamalpa Racing season and is firmly established in Marin County running tradition

The Hill Climb remains a simple affair, no pre-race sign-ups, no race numbers, no big crowds, maybe a water station, and maybe, just maybe, a T-shirt. So if next Labor Day morning you want to see the view from Mount Tamalpias, head to the Clock by the Depot, join the race and run to the top. Just be warned that it will take a few minutes after you touch the door before you have any breath to take away.

Note: This is a privately-run race, and the Tamalpa Runners have no official affiliation or sanction with this race or it's officials.