Weber State President Sets Pace for Employee Wellness with Marathon

Weber State University President Brad Mortensen will kick off Employee Health and Wellness Week by completing his 10th Ogden Marathon with support from faculty and staff who will run various portions of the course from Farmington to Ogden. 

The May 10 marathon will begin at WSU’s extension at Farmington Station at 7 a.m. and will continue north with stops at WSU Davis and the West Center, ending in Stewart Stadium on the Ogden Campus. 

“The exhilaration of completing a marathon, despite the physical exhaustion, does amazing things for my physical and mental wellness,” Mortensen said. “This course is designed to emphasize the connections and support of our Weber State campuses and communities. I’m humbled to have so many pacers and volunteers supporting this effort as we encourage participation in WSU’s health and wellness program.”

Each leg of the marathon is approximately equal to a 5K race. Thirty three individuals have signed up to run alongside the president and pace him on the various legs. Another 35 volunteers will support the runners and cheer their arrival at the various locations.  

Estimated arrival times

  • Farmington Station 7 a.m. (240 N. East Promontory, Farmington)
  • WSU Davis: 8:30-9 a.m. (2750 N. University Park Blvd., Layton)
  • West Center: 9:40-10:10 a.m. (5627 S. 3500 W., Roy) 
  • Stewart Stadium: 10:50 a.m.-11:30 a.m. (3402 University Cir., Ogden)

Weber State’s Employee Health and Wellness week coincides with National Employee Health and Fitness Day, which is observed on the third Wednesday of May. 

The marathon is Mortensen’s submission to the Ogden Marathon, which is being held virtually this year. To train for the 26.2 mile course, he also accepted the challenge to complete the Ogden GOAL Foundation's training series.

Weber State has offered a robust wellness program for 20 years, encouraging employees in their physical, emotional and social wellness. Employees who participate are eligible to receive small incentives, but the biggest reward is increased health.

In 2020, approximately 650 employees participated in the Employee Wellness program. An additional 100 spouses have also signed up to take part.

“Weber State University firmly believes that healthy, happy employees bring their best selves to work,” said Raeanna Johnson, Wellness supervisor. “The Employee Wellness program does this by promoting early detection, providing education on simple health habits and advocating the use of the wellness time.”

Weber State’s Health and Wellness Week will continue with creative and motivational Ted Talks. Selected presentations will provide participants with a broader understanding of how community and social wellness are imperative to well-being.

“This event speaks to the collegial culture that pervades Weber State,” said Jessica Oyler, Human Resources assistant vice president. “Supporting and pacing President Mortensen on his way to his marathon goal allows us to come together after a crazy year, while we kick off Employee Health and Wellness Week. It’s a bonus that we get to highlight our four campus locations from Farmington to Ogden.”

For more information about wellness week and to track Mortensen on his run, visit this link. 

For photos, visit the following links.

wsuucomm.smugmug.com/Press-Release-Photos/2021-Photos/May-2021/i-q8d9t4b/A
wsuucomm.smugmug.com/Press-Release-Photos/2021-Photos/May-2021/i-t796VD6/A

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

Author:

Allison Barlow Hess, Public Relations director
801-626-7948 • ahess@weber.edu

Contact:

Raeanna Johnson, Wellness supervisor
801-626-6480 • raeannajohnson@weber.edu