Miles Across MedStar, a four-day, 200-mile run led by ultramarathoner Michael Wardian, made a stop in Olney on Tuesday, bringing the effort to MedStar Montgomery Medical Center and drawing participation from hospital leadership and staff.
Hospital president and senior vice president Emily Briton joined the run, lacing up her shoes to take part in the final mile alongside Wardian and his team. Briton, who began running a decade ago, completed her first marathon in 2023, the same year she became president of MedStar Montgomery, and has since finished three marathons. She said her long-term goal is to run all of the world’s major marathons.
Wardian, a professional runner, has completed more than 300 marathons and ultramarathons across the United States and internationally, and has won marathons on all seven continents while representing the U.S.
He has been joined on the run by MedStar Health physical therapist Chris Heydrick and physician assistant Chris Wilde. The group began their journey Monday at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital in Leonardtown and is scheduled to make 15 stops along a route that passes through Washington, D.C., before concluding today in Baltimore at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center.
The event is coordinated by the MedStar Health Research Institute, which is studying how lifestyle interventions impact healthy aging, particularly in areas such as cognition, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. Organizers say research has shown that regular exercise can reduce cases of diabetes by nearly 60%, and the run is designed to highlight the connection between physical activity and long-term health.
At each stop, MedStar staff and medical providers have welcomed the runners with cheers, signs, and encouragement. In Olney, Briton joined the group for the final stretch into the hospital.
She said the goal of the effort is not to encourage people to run extreme distances, but to promote the idea that even small amounts of movement can have a meaningful impact on overall health.
