Michael Wardian Explained

Michael Wardian
Sport:Long-distance running
Nationality:American
Residence:Arlington County, Virginia, U.S.
Birth Date:12 April 1974
Birth Place:Morgantown, West Virginia, U.S.
Height:6inchesft0inchesin (ftin)
Weight:145lb
Pb:Mile

4:34.6[1]
5K run: 15:09[2]
10K run: 30:23[3]
Half Marathon: 1:06:30
Marathon: 2:17:49[4]

Michael Wardian (born April 12, 1974) is an American marathoner and ultra-marathoner. He won the 2008, 2009 and 2010 US 50 km championships[5] and the 2011 US 50 mile championship.[6] In 2008, he won the U.S. National 100 km championship.[7] Wardian also is the 2007 JFK 50 Mile champion, and 6-time winner of the National Marathon in Washington, D.C., winning 2006–2008 and 2010-2012.[8] [9] [10] [11] [12]

Wardian has set 25 Fastest Known Time running records in five countries. In 2019, he set the speed record for the 631-mile Israel National Trail.[13] [14] Wardian is known for the vast number of marathons he participates in. During a 45-day span in 2006, Wardian won four out of five marathons he raced.[15] In 2007, he ran 13 marathons (not including ultra-marathons), and seven marathons in a span of nine weeks (winning three).[16] Wardian frequently participates in local races in the Washington, D.C., area.[17]

Early life and education

Wardian was born on April 12, 1973, in Morgantown, West Virginia. He attended Oakton High School in Vienna, Virginia. He attended Michigan State University in Lansing, Michigan.

Running career

Wardian set the world record for fastest marathon while pushing a jogging stroller from May 2007 to November 2009.[8] [18] He set the record at the 2007 Frederick Marathon with a time of 2:42:21. The record was broken at a duel at the 2009 Route 66 marathon by Zac Freudenburg, whose 2:32:10 time beat Wardian's 2:34:37 time.

Wardian also was a former record holder of the fastest Marathon on a treadmill.[8] He qualified and participated in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Men's Olympic Marathon trials.[15] [19] Some of the notable ultra-marathons Wardian has completed include the Marathon des Sables, the Western States Endurance Run, the Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race, and the Vermont 100 Mile Endurance Run.[20] [21] The United States Track and Field Association named Wardian the 2008 and 2009 Ultra Runner of the year.[22] [23]

In March 2008, won the National Marathon in Washington D.C., on a Saturday, and then finish third at a marathon in Knoxville, Tennessee the next day.[24] In 2008, Wardian ran a total of 53 races.[25] In November 2009, Wardian finished third in the IAU World 50K championships held in Gibraltar.[26] In 2010, Wardian finished third at the Marathon des Sables in 23 hours 1 minute 3 seconds, which was the best time ever by an American.[27] In February 2011, the International Association of Ultrarunners named Wardian its inaugural Athlete of the Year.[28]

On July 1, 2010, Wardian set the record for fastest indoor 200-meter track marathon record, with a time of 2:27:21.[29] He qualified for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Marathon trials by running a 2:17:49 at the 2011 Grandma's Marathon.[30] In September 2011, he won the silver medal at the World 100K Championships.

In January 2012, Wardian ran 2:21 at the US Olympic Trials in Houston, and 2:31 at the Houston Marathon the next morning. He finished 62nd at the Trials and 16th at the Marathon.[31]

In May 2014 he won the Wings for Life World Run in Sunrise running 57.75 km and finished 27th globally.[32] In 2015 he chose to compete in Melbourne winning the race with 70.66 km to be the 10th of the world.[33]

In January 2017, Wardian ran seven marathons in seven days on seven continents in a record average speed of 2:45.[34]

On September 15, 2017, Wardian won the Fenway Park Marathon in a time of 2:53.52.[35] The race had 51 participants who ran 116 laps on the warning track of the ball park. He ran in Maldives Addu marathon on June 29, 2018, and got first place and MVR12000.

On October 27, 2019, Wardian won the inaugural Marine Corps Marathon 50K with a time of 3:11:52.[36]

In 2020, Wardian won the Quarantine Backyard Ultra, running nearly 263 miles over the course of 63 hours without sleeping in a repetitive neighborhood loop in Arlington, VA to follow social distancing guidelines during the coronavirus pandemic.[37]

When asked in April 2009 why he competes in so many races, Wardian said:

A lot of people say, "Oh, you could be a 2:12 guy or a 2:14 guy if you just focused on one race a year, or two races a year and really built up." And I think the counter argument is that you could get hurt and you wouldn't have any races a year. There are so many opportunities out there and, I love to toe the line. I love to see what I can do and just push the limits and try and experiment with myself.

I like that people can look at me, and say, "Wow, if that guy can do 13 marathons a year and do pretty well maybe I can do one." I think a lot of people can relate to that. Like, that guy works a real job. He's not a professional runner.

Personal

Wardian is a graduate of Oakton High School and Michigan State University, where he played for the lacrosse team. Wardian did not run competitively until after college.[38] He lives in Arlington, Virginia, is a vegetarian,[27] and works as an International Shipbroker. Wardian chartered the cargo that was on the Maersk Alabama when it was hijacked in April 2009.[39] He is married with two children.

Notes

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: dCRRC One Mile Track Championship (2006). DC Road Runners Club. DC Road Runners Club.
  2. http://www.racepacket.com/result04/jun04/drun5k.htm
  3. Web site: Profile of Michael Wardian. All-Athletics. January 17, 2014. June 23, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150623031213/http://www.all-athletics.com/node/100655. dead.
  4. Web site: Athlete profile for Michael Wardian. IAAF.
  5. Web site: Wardian wins third USA 50 km title. usatf.org. US Track and Field. March 14, 2010.
  6. Web site: Home - Tussey Mountainback. www.tusseymountainback.com. en-gb. 2018-10-22.
  7. Web site: Michael Wardian (34) of Arlington, VA Wins His Third 2008 National Championship. USATF. July 28, 2008. Runwashington.com. October 16, 2008. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20081120212714/http://www.runwashington.com/news/jul08mwardianUS50Mtrail.html. November 20, 2008. mdy-all.
  8. Web site: MICHAEL WARDIAN'S CRAZY PACE. Cooper. Bob. June 2, 2008. RunnersWorld. October 16, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081029203045/http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-243-297--12644-0,00.html. October 29, 2008. dead.
  9. Web site: Wardian Wins Third Straight National Marathon. March 29, 2008. NBC4. October 16, 2008.
  10. News: Michael Wardian wins his fourth National Marathon. McFarland. Matt. March 21, 2010. Washington Post. March 22, 2010.
  11. News: Wagner. James. Michael Wardian wins National Marathon for fifth time in six years. March 27, 2011. The Washington Post. March 27, 2011.
  12. Web site: Cruz. Dan. Wardian, Bishop Win SunTrust Rock 'n' Roll USA Marathon. Competitor. April 6, 2012.
  13. Web site: Mike Wardian Fastest Known Time. 2024-01-02. fastestknowntime.com. en.
  14. Web site: Israel National Trail Fastest Known Time. 2024-01-02. fastestknowntime.com. en.
  15. Web site: Wardian Father-Son Record. April 17, 2007. Run 4 Fun. October 16, 2008.
  16. Web site: Endurance athlete has no 'off' switch. Barnas. Jo-Ann. August 28, 2009. Detroit Free-Press.
  17. Web site: Michael Wardian: Discovery Channel. Woodrick. Drew. Nov–Dec 2003. runwashington.com. January 31, 2009. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090106051129/http://www.runwashington.com/features/profilemichaelwardian.html. January 6, 2009. mdy-all.
  18. News: Route 66 Stroller Marathoner Breaks Guinness World Record. November 23, 2009. NewsOn6.com. November 27, 2009. February 6, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100206035235/http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=11553598. dead.
  19. News: Ungrady. Dave. A Real Marathon Man Runs 10 a Year. On the Run. NYTimes.com. October 21, 2010. October 20, 2010.
  20. Web site: 2009 by Place . 2009-07-26 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090705120940/http://www.ws100.com/results09.htm . July 5, 2009 . mdy-all .
  21. Web site: Vermont 100 Endurance Race - 2000 results. Vermont100.com. March 15, 2009. March 26, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090326004911/http://www.vermont100.com/2000_results.html. dead.
  22. Web site: Runner's World: Daily News. November 25, 2009. Runner's World. November 27, 2009. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20091128225317/http://dailynews.runnersworld.com/2009/11/november-25.html. November 28, 2009. mdy-all.
  23. News: Degnan. Susan Miller. ING Miami Marathon runner thrives on exhaustion. January 28, 2011. The Miami Herald. January 26, 2011.
  24. News: Wardian Keeps a tireless pace. Powers. John. April 17, 2008. Boston Globe. October 16, 2008.
  25. Web site: A Brief Chat With Michael Wardian. Gambaccini. Peter. March 13, 2009. Runner's World.
  26. Web site: Semick Wins World 50K Championship. ultraRunning Online. November 4, 2009. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110717153142/http://www.ultrarunning.com/ultra/features/news/semick-wins-world-50k-cha.shtml. July 17, 2011. mdy-all.
  27. News: Shipley. Amy. Ultramarathoner Michael Wardian is determined to go as far as he can, as fast as he can. The Washington Post. June 20, 2010. May 30, 2010.
  28. Web site: IAU Athletes of the Year Announced!. February 9, 2011. March 12, 2011. July 26, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110726164348/http://www.iau-ultramarathon.org/index.asp?menucode=h02&col001=912&tmp=tmp3&foto=photo0. dead.
  29. News: Shipley. Amy. Arlington's Michael Wardian sets indoor 200-meter track marathon record. July 6, 2010. Washington Post. July 3, 2010.
  30. Web site: Waltz. Ken. Gold medalist Wardian joins MDI Marathon field. The Harbor Times Soup. September 27, 2011.
  31. Web site: Campbell. Steve. Wardian runs marathons on consecutive days in Houston. The Houston Chronicle. February 6, 2012. 2012-01-16.
  32. News: . 2014-05-04 . World-Class Athletes Lolo Jones And Demarcus Ware Among Thousands Who Run For Those Who Can't In Inaugural Wings for Life World Run . PR Newswire . 2015-10-02.
  33. News: McMillan . Alister . 2015-05-15 . Michael Wardian is the marathon man . The Australian . 2015-10-02.
  34. Gartland. Dan. Man runs seven marathons on seven continents in seven days at record speed. Sports Illustrated. January 29, 2017 . 30 January 2017.
  35. https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2017/09/15/fenway-park-they-took-trips-around-bases/uW6VK7wEky249AW9yRc5jN/story.html
  36. https://wjla.com/news/local/marine-corps-marathon-2019-50k
  37. News: Michael Wardian set out for a virtual ultra marathon. He kept running for 2½ days.. Maese. Rick. April 7, 2020. Washington Post. April 8, 2020.
  38. Web site: Can an underdog make the Olympic team? . Harris . Cecil . nyrr.org . New York Road Runners . January 31, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080820005813/http://nyrr.org/races/pro/profiles/Wardian.asp . August 20, 2008 .
  39. Web site: A Brief Chat With Michael Wardian. Vigneron. Peter. April 20, 2009. Runner's World. April 20, 2009. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090422222157/http://dailynews.runnersworld.com/2009/04/a-brief-chat-with-michael-wardian.html. April 22, 2009. mdy-all.