Jessica Mautner is running the 16th annual Napa To Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon to fight cancer

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 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."

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.

posted Tuesday July 16th