Dipsea Chimes—a kinetic data sculpture by College of Marin

Dipsea Chimes is a kinetic data sculpture celebrating the Dipsea Race, America’s oldest trail race. Installed on a terrace overlooking Mt. Tamalpais—the race’s iconic setting—it is accessible to the local community. The piece aims to raise awareness of the race’s historical significance, particularly its pioneering role in equity and gender inclusion. To achieve this, the design presents race data in a tangible, interactive format, making it engaging and approachable.

The installation features 30 suspended paddles, each representing a winning runner from the past 30 years—a subset of the race’s 120-year history. The length of the supporting sticks corresponds to race time, while the paddles encode age and gender—board size scales with age, and color indicates gender. Labels on each paddle display the year, time, age, and gender, allowing viewers to explore the dataset.

Designed as a kinetic and auditory experience, the paddles swing with the wind or by hand, producing sounds reminiscent of wooden chimes—a nod to the rhythmic cadence of trail runners. This movement and sound encourage hands-on engagement, revealing insights into the race’s unique headstart system. Viewers may be surprised to discover that winners have ranged from 8 years old to over 70, nearly half were women, and some completed the challenging 7.4-mile course in under 50 minutes.

By combining form, function, and sensory engagement, Dipsea Chimes transforms race data into an immersive experience. It highlights the event’s rich history and inclusivity, inviting viewers to connect with the stories behind the numbers and the enduring spirit of the Race.