Napa Mother Of 2 Running To Fight Cancer

NAPA, CA — The piles of ribbons a Napa woman has accumulated from running two marathons and nearly 20 half-marathons are probably enough to supply a gift shop during the Christmas rush. But of all the races 44-year-old married mother of two Jessica Mautner has trained for, the upcoming Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon touches a special place in her heart.

That is because the national featured charity partner of the race Sunday, July 21 is the American Cancer Society — a cause that has become important to Mautner as her mother-in-law, Elizabeth Mautner, undergoes treatment for the stage IV breast cancer she was diagnosed with earlier this year.

"I'm doing this for her," Mautner said. "I've told her, 'I'm so proud of you. You're so strong.' The least I can do is raise money to find a cure or make treatment easier."

As part of the American Cancer Society's DetermiNation endurance series, Mautner and fellow athletes participating in the Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon will help fund the organization's mission to fight cancer from every angle, according to Dan Cruz, a media representative for the event.

"Proceeds will support programs to fund breakthrough research, and provide free rides to treatment, lodging near hospitals, a live 24/7 helpline, and much more," Cruz said in a news release.

The event known as Wine Country’s summertime fitness celebration is expected to attract over 5,000 runners from 15 countries and all 50 U.S. states. For the first time, the event weekend features two days of running, with the Rosé 5K taking place Saturday.

• EVENT INFO: Wine Country Rosé 5K 2019: Sonoma | Wine Country Half Marathon 2019: Napa To Sonoma

The half-marathon starts at 7 a.m. Sunday in Napa at 1221 Duhig Road next to Domaine Carneros, a vineyard specializing in sparkling wines, Cruz said. From there, the course leads runners along winding roads through picturesque vineyards of the Napa and Sonoma valleys, with the finish line at the historic Sonoma Square, 453 1st St. East in Sonoma.

Born and raised in Napa, Mautner could serve as a tour guide for Sunday's race.

"It's beautiful," Mautner said. "Very scenic. The finish in Sonoma Square is a lot of fun. Sonoma is a darling little town, a great end point."

Not unlike other long-distance runners, Mautner still needs a push to get out of the door — even with the course taking place in her beautiful, native North Bay wine country.

Nor is Mautner, a first-grade teacher, the type who feels comfortable asking friends for financial support.

"I’m not a big 'Look at me, give me money' person," she said. 'The only other time I’ve asked for donations is for my classroom."

With the mother of her husband and the grandmother of her two sons — Sam, 11, and Jacob, 7 — battling cancer, her heart knows the task is clear.

"It does empower me to ask for support," she said. "I feel like I need to do something for her. Because it's such a helpless feeling when you see somebody undergoing this disease and the treatment for it."