Weeden 1st Among Women in Local Marathon2 min read

Ann Arbor, MI — June 13, 2013 — Dr. Josephine Weeden (DDS 1996), an adjunct clinical assistant professor in the Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, placed first among women runners in the Ann Arbor Marathon.  The second annual event was held June 9.

Weeden, who finished ninth overall, was among more than 400 who participated.  She ran the 26-mile, 385-yard course in 3 hours, 4 minutes, and 26 seconds.  Her winning time was nearly seven minutes faster than the second-place female runner.  “This was the first marathon I have won,” she said.

However, her preparation for the Ann Arbor event began months earlier when she ran a 100-mile ultramarathon in Florida in mid May.  “I began preparing for that event in January running 20 miles a day for two months.  I ran five miles in the morning, 10 at lunch, and at least five more in the evening,” she said. 

Two weeks after completing the Florida event, Weeden ran the Dexter-Ann Arbor half marathon.  “So after all the preparation, running the ultramarathon, and the half marathon, I was fully trained to run the Ann Arbor Marathon.  I had no doubt I would finish,” she added.

Initially, several members of Weeden’s office staff planned to run with her in the Ann Arbor event.  “We run together every day and discussed running the race together.  But when they couldn’t join me, I decided to go it alone.  It was the first time I ran a race by myself,” she said.

“It was awesome running here in Ann Arbor.  It wasn’t nearly as hot as it was in Florida.  I just kept telling myself, ‘At least you don’t have 75 more miles to go’,” she said.  Runners began the race on Main Street at the northwest corner of the University of Michigan football stadium and finished on the 50 yard line at the Big House.