An 8-year-old girl has become the youngest winner of a century-old footrace in Marin County.
Reilly Johnson of Mill Valley stunned spectators Sunday when she became the 100th winner of the Dipsea Race.
Johnson beat more than 1,400 other runners in the 7.5-mile race from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach, including three-time winner Melody-Anne Schultz, who placed second.
Schultz told the Marin IJ she cases her grandchildren every day, adding she was estatic that the little girl won the race. "But I didn't think I'd be chasing a little girl in the Dipsea. Well done, Reilly," Schultz told the paper.
After the competition, Johnson was presented the trophy by seven-time champion Sal Vasquez, who is considered the race's greatest Dipsea competitor.
The Dipsea is said to be the second longest foot race in the country. The only one that beats it is the Boston Marathon.
