Jack Kirk, The Dipsea Demon, runner and curmudgeon
From the Left Coast, Dan at Infospigot and SFGate.com comes word that Jack Kirk, aka The ‘Dipsea Demon’, was a renowned runner, curmudgeon died recently.
The legend of Jack Kirk began one day in 1933 or 1934 on a steep slope called Steep Ravine in Marin County during the famous Dipsea Trail race.
The runners were tired as they headed toward Stinson Beach when suddenly a man appeared out of nowhere tearing down the slope, sliding and leaping over brush, passing other runners like they were standing still.
“Boy,” one runner said, “that guy runs like a demon.”
From that day forth, Jack Kirk was known as the “Dipsea Demon,” and he lived up to the nickname, running the arduous 7.1-mile trail race out of Mill Valley 67 consecutive times. He didn’t quit until he collapsed at the top of the grueling 1,362-foot elevation Cardiac Hill — at age 96.
This summer, the upper flight of the Dipsea stairs will be totally rebuilt. Engraved bronze plaques installed in the risers will carry the names and messages of supporters who donate $1,000 or more to finance the construction. And the bronze medallion on the very top step will read: “Jack Kirk/The Dipsea Demon.” See a picture of the stairs about half way down the main Dipsea.org page.
~~The ODDones for OurDailyDead.com
Technorati tags: Left Coast, Jack Kirk, Dipsea Demon, curmudgeon, Marin County, Dipsea Trail, Stinson Beach, Mill Valley
