Runner Chronicles: Eleanor Fulton
The Runner Chronicles
Eleanor Fulton is an elite middle-distance runner who has made a name for herself in the world of track and field with her talent. Known for her powerful strides and impressive range across various distances, Eleanor has become a formidable presence on the track.
Growing up in Colorado, she excelled as a high school standout and went on to run collegiately for the University of Washington, where she honed her skills among some of the nation’s best.
Over the years, Eleanor has built a reputation not only as a fierce competitor but also as a runner with remarkable tenacity, overcoming injuries and setbacks to reach new heights in her career. Her inspiring performances, both on national stages and in international meets, have made her a respected figure and a source of motivation for aspiring runners. Eleanor’s journey is a testament to the dedication and perseverance required to excel in one of the most challenging and competitive sports.
We connected with Eleanor Fulton for the upcoming edition of The Runner Chronicles, curious to uncover the driving force behind her talent and to get an inside look at the world of elite runners. We wanted to learn what fuels her passion and what the day-to-day life of an elite athlete really entails—the discipline, the challenges, and the moments that make it all worthwhile.
Pictures by Jake Johnson, Instagram @jakejohnson
Could you introduce yourself?
Hi, I’m Eleanor. From Colorado originally, I ran at the University of Washington and then moved to Portland to join a professional group. That group has since disbanded, but I met my husband here and stayed in Portland, Oregon. I like to spend time in Buena Vista, Colorado, as often as I can for altitude training. I worked in software marketing for years, but I’ve scaled back somewhat this year and I’ve started to pursue my master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling.
When did you first realize your passion for running, and how did it all begin for you?
I started running earlier than a lot of my competitors; I started track and field around age 7 and initially competed in the sprints and standing long jump. I was mediocre at both but decent at the longer disciplines, so I moved up to the middle-distance events and I’ve stuck with that ever since.
Can you share a memory or experience from your early running days that still motivates you today?
Winning my first state championship my freshman year in the 1600m was really fun for me because I didn’t expect to win. With success came increasing expectations, but that race, in particular, was super cool because I didn’t see it coming.
What has been the most memorable moment of your running career so far?
I think my best achievement so far has been placing third at Fifth Ave in 2022, but there have been tons of little heartbreaks and victories since.
How do you balance the mental and physical demands of being an elite runner?
I’m in grad school, running, and working a little bit as a contractor. My days vary a lot in terms of structure, and it’s fortunate that I really like to physically work hard. At this point, I have a lot of experience in balancing work and running. I would say that the most difficult part is fulfilling responsibilities and maintaining a little sanity during travel days.
Picture by: Jake Johnson
What are your thoughts on the future of middle-distance running?
This year was wild in terms of the density of stellar performances in women’s middle-distance running, especially in the 1500m. I think this shows that maybe we don’t really know what’s possible in the middle distances, and it was an exciting time to be an athlete and a fan. In terms of changes that I would like to see in the sport, I would love for there to be more avenues for athletes to earn money, or greater prize and/or appearance money in the sport. I know that the popularity of run clubs is really surging right now, and I would love for that to result in a bigger fanbase for track and field.
You took part in the Olympic Trials (1500m). How did you prepare mentally and physically for the event, and what were your expectations going into it?
Getting to the trials this year was super, super intense and stressful for me. I had a sacral stress fracture in February that left me on a very abbreviated timeline for training. With a navicular fracture last year, I had zero marks to rely on, so I was on a mission to qualify for the trials and try to build a world rank as quickly as possible.
That build was the quickest I’ve ever incorporated track workouts into a return-to-running regimen, and I kept my mileage pretty low throughout the summer compared to previous years. I was on the bike trainer a lot.
It was hard for me to race at the Trials knowing I wasn’t at my best. My times were coming around and I was grateful for the experience, but it was frustrating to show up at that event unprepared. I did what I could in the time I had, but I really wanted more for myself.
Picture by: Jake Johnson
What have you learned about yourself through the ups and downs of being a competitive athlete?
This isn’t an original thought on my behalf, but the work ethic, resilience, and adaptability from being an athlete are all worth developing and are transferable into other domains. If you stick with it for long enough, there are probably more downs than ups, but it’s still worthwhile if you’re getting something out of the experience.
What’s next for you in your running career?
Is there a message you’d like to share with aspiring runners?
I am just as excited as ever to keep chipping away at the 1500m; I think I’ll move up in distance one day to see what’s possible, but I don’t think I’ve found my ceiling in my favorite event yet. My advice to aspiring runners would be to pursue what makes you light up; if you’re excited to run and improve, by all means, full steam ahead.