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Presented annually to an Empire Runners Club member whose personal courage, generosity of spirit, and/or dedication to the sport of running extraordinarily inspires us as runners and fellow human beings
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The history of the Empire Runners Club includes many great runners and many self-less volunteers, but certain members stand out as exceptionally inspirational. These are the few whose extraordinary personal courage, generosity of spirit, or dedication to the sport of running far exceeds the norm, the exemplary few who in connection with us as runners show us the way to be better citizens and better human beings. Kathy Dalton (Van Riper) emerged as a running star at Sonoma High School in the 1980's, where she set the girls' two-mile record before continuing an outstanding running career on athletic scholarship at Northern Arizona University. After college, she returned to Sonoma County, continued running recreationally, joined the Empire Runners, and met her husband-to-be, Marc Van Riper in an EMT training class. Marc, who had passed Coast Guard and firefighter fitness tests, thought he was a runner, but Kathy expanded his consciousness and fitness as they dated "on the run" on the trails of Sonoma County parks. They married in 1995. Their daughter, Jillian, was born in 1997, and son, Ian, in 1999. When Ian was 8 months old, Kathy, then 30, was diagnosed with breast cancer. For nine years Kathy has fought her battle with the focus and perseverance of a dedicated runner. Running has always been a part of her regimen-as healthful exercise, as mental therapy, and as celebration of her passion for life. She shares her love of running with her husband and children, all of whom participate regularly in Empire Runners Club races. Cancer is a sword of Damocles, omnipresent and threatening to patient, family, and friends. Both disease and treatment can be brutal. Kathy's lesson for all of us is that life under the most difficult circumstances can be precious and joyful, full of promise, purpose, and hope. Every moment counts and a life worth living is one dedicated to others. Kathy's voice and story have spoken loudly in the fight against cancer and its consequences. She has rallied friends and strangers alike, inspired by her and by her commitment, to support the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. In relishing the lives of their own children, Kathy and Marc have recognized the special burden born by all families touched by cancer and have established Kathy's Camp for Kids, a non-profit organization offering activities, support, and encouragement to children of cancer patients. In 1985, 15 year-old Kathy Dalton ran the Kenwood Footrace 10K in 38:54. That time puts her 11th on the women's Kenwood All-Time 10K list and 2nd in the 19 and under age group. That's faster than the best times of high school superstars Sara Bei, Trina Cox, Jennie Aldridge, Phyllis Blanchard, and Sarah Sumpter. Faster than legends Becky Simmie and April Powers. Kathy didn't place first in '85, but in 24 out of 37 Kenwoods her time of 38:54 would have won the women's division outright. Today, Kathy runs a much tougher race, but it is one she will not lose. It is a race she has already won.
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