Linda and Eriel Wallace: Mother and daughter take on a marathon to benefit leukemia, lymphoma research

	Eriel and Linda Wallace completed the Free Scale Austin Marathon in just over five hours Feb. 14.

In a reversal of roles, Eriel Wallace set an example for her mother, Linda, to follow when the two raced in a marathon on Valentine's Day.

Eriel, a representative in the records division of the Department of Human Resources, participated in the Free Scale Austin Marathon in February, and Linda joined her in the 26.2-mile race.

"I think the marathon is a great personal test of your endurance and willpower," says Eriel, who participated in the marathon as a way to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. "It is something I have always  wanted to do."

Linda, a programmer and analyst in the Computer and Information Technology Center who helps support the student records portion of EIS, says she decided to train and run the race with Eriel as a way to support her and to spend more time with her before she starts medical school.

"I knew it would be easier for Eriel to train if she had a partner," Linda says. "I feel such admiration for Eriel's desire to help others. She not only ran the marathon to raise money for LLS, but she regularly donates blood and platelets as well. She has a wonderful volunteer spirit."

Linda's father died from a blood disease two years ago, and Eriel considered the marathon a way to honor her grandfather's memory. So she began training with Team in Training, a program that trains runners who are raising money for LLS.

The mother and daughter completed the race in five hours and one minute and raised $2,900 for research.

"When I crossed the finish line my body had never felt so tired, but I felt so elated and proud that we had actually finished the race," says Eriel. "I couldn't stop smiling for about a week because I felt so great about it."

Completing the race was a huge accomplishment for both Eriel and Linda.

"I was so proud of Eriel and of myself for doing it and not giving up," says Linda, who has a bachelor's degree in finance and accounting from North Texas. "A great deal of running a marathon is mental. You have to convince yourself you can do it and you don't have to stop even though you're tired and in pain."

Robert Jones, administrative computing systems team manager, has worked with Linda for 17 years and admires the vivacious spirit the mother and daughter share.

"To have a 23-year-old woman, who has no track and field background, running marathons is somewhat rare, and to have her mother running right along with her is rarer still," says Jones.

BY MAGAN HENDON inhouse@unt.edu

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• About 2,500 expected to graduate during commencement May 14
• About the commencement speaker
• UNT to present honorary doctoral degree to capital campaign leader
• Growth is key in state Closing the Gaps plan
• TAMS commencement scheduled for May 13
• North Texas ‘Hold 'em' is 2005 Homecoming theme
• Faculty Senate honors retiring director of international studies and programs
• Students earn several national scholarships
• UNT awards Learning Enhancement grants

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