All-Women Team Makes Dipsea History, Earns Mill Valley Honors

MILL VALLEY, CA — An all-women's running team made history at this year's Dipsea Race, putting seven runners among the top 35 finishers and becoming the first all-female team to win the team competition.

The Mill Valley City Council recognized the Swoop Sirens during its August meeting for their performance in the 2026 Dipsea, which the city described as the oldest trail race and second-oldest footrace in America.

The city said the Swoop Sirens captured the Norman Bright Trophy, with all five scoring members finishing among the top 11 runners overall.

Chris Lundy led the team by winning the race in an actual time of 1:00:42, earning her fourth Dipsea title. Julia Maxwell Bailey placed third overall and recorded the fastest women's time at 57:02.

Farah Allen, a Branson High School senior, finished eighth and won the Wes Hildreth Award as the top high school girl finisher. Heidi Reifenstein finished ninth and Amy Cameron placed 11th, rounding out the team's five scoring runners.

Two more Swoop Sirens earned coveted black shirts by finishing among the top 35: Clara Petersen placed 12th and Sissel Berntsen-Heber finished 14th.

Councilmember Urban Carmel put the team's performance in perspective by comparing it with his own experience on the course.

“I have run the Dipsea 18 times and none of my times come even close to any of these finishes,” Carmel said. “It is a very hard race.”

Mayor Max Perrey recognized the Swoop Sirens' historic achievement and invited the runners to the front of the council chambers to receive their proclamations.

Team members told the council they had spent years working toward assembling an all-women's team capable of winning the competition.

They said they hoped the accomplishment would encourage more women and girls to take on the Dipsea and become involved in the local trail-running community.