TMMS runner aces Columbia race again

Published 11:26 am Thursday, December 11, 2008

By Brenda Sexton

The Courier-Herald

Emily Eilerton is climbing to great heights.

In just a decade of participation in the Big Climb for Leukemia, Eilerton has elevated herself to one of the top athletes in the event, not only for her age group, but among all women.

On March 19, she raced to the top of the Columbia Center in Seattle - that's a 69-flight course that includes 1,311 steps and 788 feet of vertical elevation - in 11 minutes, 9 seconds.

The Thunder Mountain Middle School seventh-grade student had the ninth fastest overall female time among 544 female participants. For the second straight year, she was No. 1 among 8- to 12-year-old girls and also ranked high among females under 18.

&#8220I actually thought this was the hardest,” said Emily, who just turned 13. The event took place March 19. &#8220This one hurt the most out of all of them.”

&#8220It's like climbing three football fields, end to end, straight up. It's like climbing an 800-foot ladder,” said Emily's proud dad, Tom, who has participated every year except one since it started 20 years ago.

Her time was 1:10 faster this year.

&#8220She was ridiculously fast. She would have been third fastest last year,” Tom said.

The entire Eilerton family has participated in the event for years. Tom was third in the men's master's division with a time of 9:19. Emily's mom, Joan, and 8-year-old brother Jacob also participated.

Emily took her first stroll up the Columbia Center when she was 3 years old.

&#8220I helped her a little bit that time,” Tom said.

Tom said they look at it as a fitness challenge.

For the three months prior to the climb, Emily said, she and her dad climb Mount Peak - rain, shine and even snow.

&#8220It's worth it when you get to the top (of the Columbia Center) because it's a great view,” Emily said. Participants take the elevator down.

In past years, Emily has taken a friend or two along. This year, she took her school.

&#8220I thought it would be cool to get my school to do it,” Emily said.

Thunder Mountain physical education teacher and family friend Ted Carlson has gone with the Eilerton's on occasion. This year, he and fellow Thunder Mountain physical education teacher Laura Albrecht got a group of kids together.

&#8220I'm proud of her in that respect, too,” said her father. Tom and Joan are both physical education teachers for the Federal Way School District, and they have been bringing a large group of kids with him for many years.

Emily said she has another motivation for making the annual climb.

&#8220I really do it because my Nana has cancer and I feel it's important,” she said.

Brenda Sexton can be reached at bsexton@cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/courierherald.