When Julia Maxwell Bailey and Christopher Maxwell, two of JAMBAR founder Jenny Maxwell’s children, lined up for the start of the Dipsea Race last Sunday June 14th, they were carrying on a family tradition spanning decades. Their grandmother Barbara ran the race more than 20 times, winning the Women’s Best Time trophy in 1977 and 1978. Their mother, who has been running on Mt. Tam since age 12, also competed in the race multiple times, finishing third in the 1996 Double Dipsea and bringing home several Family Trophies.
Julia and Christopher continued the family practice of making it to the podium. Together, they won the Family Trophy, with the fastest combined time for two relatives. Julia placed third overall with the fastest women’s actual time, while Christopher cracked the top 50 on clock time and placed 22nd in actual time. (The Dipsea is unique in assigning time “head starts” based on the runner’s age, gender and past performances. Runners taking off in waves, leaving the later runners the challenge of overtaking those with earlier start times.) Julia also was part of the Swoop Sirens, an all-female team that took home the Team Award. Her fellow runners included Chris Lundy (the race winner), Branson School runner Farah Allen (eighth), San Anselmo’s Heidi Reifenstein (ninth), and Amy Cameron (11th).
The oldest trail race in America, the Dipsea takes place every year on the second Sunday in June. The grueling 7.4 mile course begins in Mill Valley and finishes at Stinson Beach. Famous for its stairs and steep singletrack trails, the Dipsea winds through some of the most gorgeous scenery in the country.
“We had four generations of our family at this year’s race to cheer on Julia and Christopher, along with our extended running family. This is the place where trail racing began, and I’m so glad my kids share my love of this sport and this beautiful place,” said Jenny.
Julia first ran the Dipsea as a 13-year-old in 2009, where she placed 4th overall. She had several other top-10 finishes as a teen, and then returned to the race in 2023 with a 2nd place finish. She finished 3rd in 2024, took 2025 off to have a child, and came back strong with this year’s 3rd place effort.
Two of Julia’s children, along with two of their young cousins, were in attendance, playing under the trees and enjoying the day. Could these toddlers on their unsteady legs be the next generation of elite Dipsea runners? Only time will tell, but given the Maxwell genes and love of the trails, it’s probably a good bet!