Ron Dunsmore receives Will Caviness Award from Junction 311, Omega Sports Race Series

Winston-Salem runner Ron Dunsmore is the recipient of the Will Caviness Award, given annually by Junction 311 Endurance Sports and the Omega Sports Race Series to honor an inspirational runner in the Triad.

Dunsmore was recognized Monday night at the annual series race banquet, honoring series award winners for 2022, held at SouthEnd Brewing in Greensboro.

Dunsmore raises money and volunteers for and advocates for the Ronald McDonald House as part of his participation in the Chicago Marathon. Dunsmore, 35, is a member of the Foot Soldier Run Club at Foothills Brewing in Winston-Salem.

Caviness, a husband to Jenny, father to Caroline and Jack and a Greensboro Fire Department captain, died after collapsing near the end of the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 9, 2011. Caviness, who was 35, ran the race while raising money for the International Association of Fire Fighters' burn foundation.

"He sounds like the perfect choice," Caviness' brother, Sean, wrote of Dunsmore in a Facebook Messenger exchange. "Great charity."

Previous recipients of Will Caviness Award:

2011: Kristi Hunter, Tommy Boles

2012: Gregg Westbrook, Chris Hicks, Chris Lindstrom, Ty Jenks, Kevin Rice

2013: Naomi Ballen

2014: Jeff Keezer

2015: Eddie Wooten

2016: Frank Smith

2017: Carl Cook

2018: Danny McCormick

2019: Hollis Oberlies

2020: The Running Community

2021: Sarah Hampton (Running Shorts article & presentation)