Traverse City has many couples who run together — friends like Molly and Jason Johnson, John and Erica O’Hearn, Jessie and Eric Houghton, and Jeff and Jessie Houser come to mind.
But I only know one couple who run ultramarathons (anything longer than the traditional 26.2-mile marathon) together.
Arianne and Jason Whittaker — Traverse City’s ultrarunning royalty.
Running long distances, a journey of shared passions, endurance, and mental toughness, binds the Whittakers together.
Jason, a Central High School graduate, found solace in the rhythm of his steps early on at Oak Park Elementary. Arianne, a St. Francis alum, discovered the magic of running later in life in college, but when she did, it was as if she’d always known it.
Their love story? Well, their first date was a run to get ready for the Bayshore Marathon, and they haven’t stopped running together since. Fifteen years of marriage, two boys — Tyler and Alex — and countless miles later, they’re still going strong.
While Arianne has previously run two 100-milers and Jason several 50-milers and 50K races, this fall’s Javelina Ultra in Arizona will be their first 100-miler together.
In preparation for this challenge, the Whittakers will tackle several ultras together this year, including April’s Zion Ultra in Utah, May’s hometown favorite, the Traverse City Trail Running Festival, July’s Kettle Moraine in Wisconsin, and August’s North Country Trail Ultra here in our north woods.
Behind every ultrarunning couple’s success lies a tale of dedication and commitment to the training. Jason and Arianne’s training routine reads like a symphony of sweat, discipline, and determination. Six to seven days a week, they hit the streets and trails, mixing speed, tempo, and endurance workouts while juggling family, work, and chores. Teamwork makes the dream work.
Just last Sunday, Arianne laced up her shoes for a 31-mile training run. She ran the Boardman River Trail from their home in the Base of Old Mission neighborhood to Beitner Park and back, with a couple of loops around Boardman Lake thrown in for good measure. Jason was there by her side, pacing her for 14 of those miles.
This type of training prepares them for the suffering that is sure to come with their ultras this year. Jason and Arianne know the races are going to hurt. They always hurt. They don’t train so they don’t suffer; they train so you can tolerate the pain.
Neither Jason nor Arianne has DNF’d (did not finish) an ultramarathon. This is incredible because Arianne has 14 ultras under her belt and Jason five.
Arianne’s trick to not quitting? “Left foot. Right foot. Just get to the next aid station,” she told me. “And remembering that just because I’m hurting now doesn’t mean it’ll get worse. It might get better.” That’s stubborn optimism.
Beyond the medals and the finish lines, Jason and Arianne have come to embrace a deeper truth. It’s the idea that doing hard things — whether conquering an ultramarathon or facing life’s challenges — becomes easier when you have someone you love by your side.
Easier when you have someone who believes in you no matter what — someone who will always be in your corner when things get rough.
They’ve discovered that ultrarunning isn’t just about enduring the inevitable pain and suffering; it’s about “enjoying the day,” leaning into discomfort, and responding with resilience. Together.
“We looked at our life and how we started as a couple, and we wanted to embrace that again now that our boys are older,” Jason explained. “It’s definitely brought us closer.”
When we get out of our comfort zone and do hard things with people we love, the possibilities on this journey called life are endless. As they say, one run can change your day; many runs can change your life.
Thanks for the inspiration, Jason and Arianne.
And remember: Left foot. Right foot. Just get to the next aid station.
Are you and your partner curious about ultrarunning? Jason and Arianne help host the Traverse City Track Club’s monthly trail run series on the third Thursday. April’s meetup will be a special preview of the Traverse City Trail Running Festival courses. As always, all levels of experience are welcome.