The North Face - Athletes - Diane Van Deren

Diane Van Deren

Bio:

Diane Van Deren was diagnosed with epilepsy while she was pregnant with her third child. A strong and accomplished athlete and former professional tennis player, Diane continued to pursue her athletic passions, but after ten years of frightening and debilitating seizures she underwent radical brain surgery that removed part of her right temporal lobe. She hasn’t had a seizure since, and has gone on to become a world-class endurance athlete. She not only competes in 100-mile trail runs, but also snowshoe races and was a contender in the Iditarod Trail Invitational in Alaska, where she pulled a sled packed with more than 40 pounds of gear (no canine help on this one) for 260 miles in below-freezing temperatures. Diane feels it’s important to share her personal story with others and has spoken at many events. “I enjoy talking about how we all have obstacles in our lives,” she says. “Mine was epilepsy.” She is also a spokesperson for the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute at Children’s Hospital of Colorado, which educates children on wearing helmets to prevent brain injuries. She lives in Sedalia, Colorado, with her husband and three children.

Favorite Cook and Dish:

Seafood

Favorite Book:

In Pursuit of Excellence, by Terry Orlick

Most Recent Epic:

Finalist for the 2005 “Outdoor Person of the Year” award given by Hooked on the Outdoors magazine.

Home:

Sedalia, Colorado, USA

Career Highlights:

3rd place women’s overall, Turquoise Lake 20-Mile Snowshoe Run, Leadville, Colorado, 2006
5th place in age group, Swift Skedaddle Snowshoe Race, Silverthorne, Colorado
Completed 260 miles of the Iditarod pulling a 42 pound gear and supply sled (to benefit the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute at Children’s Hospital of Colorado), 2005
2nd place, Collegiate Peaks 50-Miler (40-49 age group), 2005
8th place women’s finisher, Hard Rock 100-Miler, 2005
2nd place overall women, Big Horn 100-Miler, 2005
6th place in age group, Leadville Trail 100-Miler, 2005
2nd place overall women, Bear Trail 100-Miler, 2005
3rd place, H.U.R.T. 100K, Hawaii, 2004
6th place, Alaska Susitna 100-Miler (and the only woman from the lower 48 to compete in the event), 2004
1st place, Alfred Packard 52-Miler, 2004
9th place finisher, 2nd place woman in her age category, Hard Rock 100-Miler, 2004
7th place overall women, The North Face Ultra Trail Tour de Mont Blanc 155K, Mont Blanc, France, 2004
2nd place, Collegiate Peaks 50-Miler (40-49 age group), 2004
2nd place, Lake City 50-Miler (40-44 age group), 2004
1st place women’s overall, 2nd Place overall, San Diego 100-Miler Endurance Run, 2003
3rd place, Bear Trail 100-Miler, 2003
5th place, Leadville Trail 100-Miler, 2003
4th place, Frosty K 50-Miler, 2003
3rd place, Alfred Packard 40-Miler, 2003
2nd place, Spring Desert Ultra 50-Miler, 2003
6th place, Big Horn 100-Miler, 2003

Films/Media Highlights:

Finalist for the 2005 “Outdoor Person of the Year” award featured in Hooked on the Outdoors magazine, Jan/Feb 2006 issue
Received the Rocky Mountain Slam Award, 2005
Everest Award: “Female Trail Runner of the Year,” 2005
Colorado Sportswomen’s Award: named one of Colorado’s top female athletes; received the “Comeback” award in woman’s sports; and the Colorado Rockies Dedication Award for giving back to the community, 2002