Hans Schmid, 72, Wins the 102nd Dipsea Race

The man on many people's short list of possible winners of the 102nd Dipsea Race came through Sunday, as 72-year-old Hans Schmid of Greenbrae won the inimitable 7.4-mile footrace between Mill Valley and Stinson Beach and became its oldest winner ever.

Schmid finished in a time of 47 minutes and 11 seconds. Under the Dipsea's handcapping system, Schmid had a 20-minute headstart. Alex Varner of San Rafael recorded the day's fastest time once again and finished fourth overall.

"I'm still a little bit in awe of it all," Schmid said of the victory. "I always expect the young kids to start passing me towards the end. But I really pushed it on the downhill and was able to hold everyone off. I felt really good."

Schmid won despite scorching temperatures out on the course.

"I thought the heat was going to be an advantage going in because it usually doesn't bother me," Schmid said. 

Schmid said he was thrilled to join a storied list of Dipsea Race champions.

"It's quite an honor to join the list of legends who have won this race," he said. "It shows that us old guys still have something left."