Forever 11: hundreds run to remember Maddie Eitas
From left: Erin Norton, Cameron Norton and Cali Mills. “We’re here to run for Maddie Eitas, who we’ve known for a very long time,” Erin said. “She’s been very special to us, and we’re here to honor her memory.” Photos by Tanvi Kulkarni
Becky and Greg Eitas, Maddie’s parents.
From left: Ken Eilers, Roxanne Eilers, Lisa Eilers, Cindy Trapp and Dave Trapp. “We’re all just trying to celebrate her,” Cindy said. “We love her, and we know that she is watching over us.
People socialized, played games at booths and took pictures at a photo booth before the race started.
Many wore teal clothing and regalia to celebrate Maddie.
The 5K participants gathered at Dexter Field for the race.
A runner picks up her number before the race.
One booth was giving out prizes for spinning a wheel, and each booth had a vase of sunflowers in memory of Maddie.
From left: Erin Norton, Cameron Norton and Cali Mills. “We’re here to run for Maddie Eitas, who we’ve known for a very long time,” Erin said. “She’s been very special to us, and we’re here to honor her memory.” Photos by Tanvi Kulkarni
Becky and Greg Eitas, Maddie’s parents.
From left: Ken Eilers, Roxanne Eilers, Lisa Eilers, Cindy Trapp and Dave Trapp. “We’re all just trying to celebrate her,” Cindy said. “We love her, and we know that she is watching over us.
People socialized, played games at booths and took pictures at a photo booth before the race started.
Many wore teal clothing and regalia to celebrate Maddie.
The 5K participants gathered at Dexter Field for the race.
A runner picks up her number before the race.
One booth was giving out prizes for spinning a wheel, and each booth had a vase of sunflowers in memory of Maddie.
ROCHESTER — A wave of teal washed over Rochester in memory of Madelyn Eitas on Sept. 19 as friends, family and community members ran five kilometers to celebrate her memory.
Maddie, an 11-year-old Rochester resident, was trapped in an avalanche at Brighton Ski Resort in Brighton, Utah on Feb. 19 during a family trip. Maddie had been buried for 30 minutes when she was found and was transferred to a hospital in critical condition. She died in the hospital later that day.
Maddie’s family created the Forever1111 foundation to carry her spirit forward and unite the community, and on Sept. 19, several hundred people participated in a 5K race.
Mom Becky Eitas said Maddie ran her first race in December, and Becky had been wanting to plan this 5K since the foundation was created. She said the community had rallied around the family since Maddie’s passing, and the support has been overwhelming.
“It’s been a lot of work, but so many people have helped volunteer and come together. I wanted to make sure it was lively and bright and colorful like Madelyn was,” she said.
Many participants were wearing teal Forever1111 shirts, tutus, glitter, beaded necklaces, leis, feathered boas and more to be as colorful as possible.
“The race is so loud, and events like this help us heal so much. The community coming together is awesome,” said Greg Eitas, Maddie’s dad.
Many of Maddie’s classmates, friends and family were in attendance, including Maddie’s grandparents and aunt. For them, it was a day of celebration.
“I’m feeling good today because I know this is something that Madelyn would just love,” Roxanne Eilers, Maddie’s grandma, said. “This is all about her, and this is all the people that care about her, love her and miss her. It’s an emotional day, but it’s a happy day for us.”
The male winner was Rochester resident Bruce Maksy, 20, who finished in just under 18 minutes. The female winner was Newton resident Sarah Romano, 46, who finished in 21 minutes. The results can be seen at runsignup.com under Miles for Maddie.
