Bellevue’s Lansing completes Big Climb – and intends to better her mark next year

Bellevue's Shirley Lansing has a reason to be at next year's Columbia Center Big Climb. "I had no idea they were timing," said Lansing, who at 80-years-old was the oldest female participant. "I thought I was just cruising up, no big deal. When I saw my time, I thought 'oh gee, I wanted to be faster than that.'"

By Joel Willits • March 24, 2010 8:53 pm

Bellevue’s Shirley Lansing has a reason to be at next year’s Columbia Center Big Climb.

“I had no idea they were timing,” said Lansing, who at 80-years-old was the oldest female participant. “I thought I was just cruising up, no big deal. When I saw my time, I thought ‘oh gee, I wanted to be faster than that.'”

On Sunday, Lansing finished the 1,311 stairs that make up the Big Climb, which benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, in 35:13.

“Physically, it was not that hard,” she said.

Lansing said the sheer pageantry of the event was amazing. A total of 6,000 people competed in the climb.

“I thought my 15 minutes of fame had arrived,” Lansing said of her arrival at the finish. “I felt like a movie star.”

Lansing said she is “so thankful” she competed in the event and looks forward to besting her time next year.

“All things considered, at 80, you don’t make too many long range plans,” she said. “But I intend to be there.”