Novi Educators Share Passion For Running Ahead Of Boston Marathon

NOVI, MI — Two educators in the Novi Community School District are gearing up for yet another run in the Boston Marathon. Both are passionate runners and eagerly head to Beantown Monday to compete in the world's oldest annual marathon that ranks as one of the most prestigious road racing events. Deerfield Elementary Principal Julie Bedford and Village Oaks Elementary first-grade teacher Jennifer Smith are veteran distance runners, who will run in their fourth and third Boston Marathon, respectively.

The 122nd running of the Boston Marathon will be a milestone for Bedford, who participated in her first 26-mile race in 1993, when she ran the Detroit Free Press Marathon. Monday’s race will be her 50th marathon.

“I quit smoking to run a marathon,” said Bedford “It was just the adrenaline. Running became my Zen. It’s how I keep my sanity.”

In the last 25 years, Bedford has built quite an impressive running résumé. A building administrator for the last five years, she has competed in nine Ironman triathlons, and a few more 100-mile races, like the Mohican Trail 100, in Ohio. But it’s Boston that has been the pinnacle of her marathon profile.

“Boston is like you’ve earned your degree. You have to earn your spot to Boston,” said Bedford, whose personal best marathon time is 3 hours, 35 minutes. “The whole city shuts down. I don’t know how many people line the course, but it is just wall-to-wall people the entire way. So it’s the experience.”

Smith has raced in more than 70 marathons, including 50-plus half marathons, and like Bedford, she too began running later in life. Now she runs 8-10 miles before the start of her workday.

“I just love it. Not only does it keep me healthy, and keeps me motivated to stay healthy, but also the social part of it is so special to me,” said Smith, whose personal record is 3 hours, 10 minutes. “I have experienced some of my very best friends through running and traveling, and just the miles that you put in. It’s almost like therapy.”

The two educators say they are injury-free and ready to travel to Boston on Saturday. Though Smith admits, next Tuesday could be a different story.

“My flight gets in at midnight on Monday night,” she said. “Tuesday should be interesting, but I’ll be back at work.”

Image courtesy Novi Community School District