Kent resident competing with a purpose in mind | SHEROX TRIATHLON

Chris Ellenwood remembers how her sister-in-law would light up a room with the ease of a smile.

She remembers the upbeat attitude, and the positivity that flowed without being forced. The giving nature that always was present.

Today, Ellenwood, a Kent resident for the last 30 years, cherishes those memories like none other. Audra Bonilla, 43, passed away June 18 in Helena, Mont., after a 3 1/2 year battle with ovarian cancer.

“(Audra) was bouncy, bubbly. She could walk into a room, and always had something to laugh about,” explained Ellenwood, fighting back tears. “She could always find the good in something. She had such a great sense of humor, and was so much fun.”

Ellenwood wants to assure that her sister-in-law’s passing serves a greater purpose. On July 10, Ellenwood will be competing in Audra Bonilla’s honor when she takes part in the all-women’s SheROX Triathlon series, which will be kicking off the summer race season at Steel Lake Park in Federal Way.

The event will be benefitting the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

Ellenwood will be competing in the event not only to honor her sister-in-law’s memory, but also with the goal of bringing awareness to ovarian cancer.

“My time (in the race) is important, but that’s not my goal,” said Ellenwood, a data administrator for Qwest. “My goal is to bring awareness to the symptoms of ovarian cancer. I don’t want Audra to have died for nothing. She herself wanted people to be aware of the symptoms. If it will change one life, she would be happy.”

Those symptoms include digestive and bladder problems, abdominal pressure, pelvic discomfort or pain, loss of appetite, lack of energy and lower back pain, among others.

As with all cancers, Bonilla’s life-ending battle proved to be a roller coaster of emotions for all involved. Bonilla, who is survived by her husband Gregory and son Grayson, was diagnosed with Stage IV ovarian cancer on Dec. 10, 2007. The cancer went into remission between June 2008 and July 2009, which brought the family renewed hope.

That hope, however, didn’t last long as the cancer had metastasized to Bonilla’s liver.

“It was a roller coaster,” Ellenwood said. “She went through a year of remission. Even in January, we thought we were going to lose her. She battled. She had incredible faith and fight.”

Ellenwood originally opted out of the Federal Way event. After learning that it would benefit the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, the Kent resident couldn’t say no.

“I wasn’t going to do the event, then I found out what it was for, so I signed up to honor her. This was before she passed away,” Ellenwood said. “I wanted to do it for her. Now that she’s passed, it’s even more important than ever. I want women to pay attention to the signs and symptoms. If (Audra) had known probably three or four months earlier, it probably would have not come to this.”

This will be Ellenwood’s third triathlon, a competition that will include a half-mile swim, 12.4-mile bike ride, and a 4.1-mile run. The event is open to participants between the ages of 18 and 67.

Ellenwood began competing in triathlons three years ago as a 48-year-old.

“Until I started doing this, my longest run was from the couch to the kitchen,” she joked.

She joined as much for herself as she did for her grandkids.

“There are plenty of things that keep me motivated,” she said. “My health is a big one. When I became a grandma, I didn’t want to be a fat grandma. I want to be around for my grandkids. I want to be active, and I want to do it for my sister-in-law. I want to do it for those who can’t. Every time I think I can’t finish a run or finish a swim, I realize there are people who really can’t.

“I want to do it for them.”

But most of all, Ellenwood wants to do it for Audra.

SheROX Triathlon Series

• WHAT: Triathlon (half-mile swim, 12.4-mile bike, 4.1-mile run)

• WHERE: Steel Lake Park, Federal Way (2410 S. 312th St.)

• WHEN: July 9-10. The competition begins at 7 a.m. on July 10, but there also will be a free expo from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 9.

• WHO: Females between the ages of 18-67

• REGISTRATION: Participants can sign up by attending the race expo on July 9 or online until July 7.

• FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.sheroxtri.com

• OF NOTE: A new feature to this year’s race is the Mentor Program, which was developed to ensure that all participants, particularly first-timers, have  a positive event experience. The Mentor Program pairs race participants with experienced and enthusiastic female triathletes who provide tips and encouragement on race day.