Michael Wardian
Events: All Distances from 1 Mile up to 150 Mile Stages races with emphasis on Marathons and Ultramarathons
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 145 lbs.
Born: Morgantown, WVA
Current Residence: Arlington, VA
College: Michigan State University - 1996
Profession: International Ship Broker
Club/Team: MarathonGuide.com
Sponsors:
MarathonGuide.com
Moeben
PowerBar
The North Face
PRs:

  • 5 km, 14:55

  • 10 km, 30:55

  • 10 Mile, 51:25

  • Half Marathon, 1:06:30

  • Marathon, 2:21:37

  • 50 Mile: 5:50:34

  • 100 km: 6:56:57


Career Highlights

  • 2008 US NATIONAL CHAMPION 50K-2:55:05 (Championship Record)
  • 2008 US NATIONAL CHAMPION 100K-6:56:57 (Course Record)
  • 2008 US NATIONAL CHAMPION 50 MILE
  • 2008 US NATIONAL RUNNER UP TRAIL MARATHON-2:35:04
  • 2004 & 2008 US MEN'S MARATHON OLYMPIC TRIALS COMPETITOR
  • GUINNESS WORLD RECORD HOLDER FOR FASTEST MARATHON WHILE PUSHING A PRAM
  • MEMBER US 100km TEAM 2008, 2009
  • 2009 US NATIONAL CHAMPION 50 km

Biography

Michael Wardian, 34, Arlington, Virginia (Team member: MarathonGuide.com)

Wardian started running and competing in triathlons in 1996 after successfully completing 3.5 seasons of Division I lacrosse at Michigan State University. In his first marathon in 1996 Wardian qualified for the Boston Marathon and has since completed more than 80 marathons on three (3) continents, 20 triathlons, including Iron Man Lake Placid, and one (1) adventure race.

In 1998 Michael set his sights on "Ultra running" and has competed in more than 20 races in distances ranging from 50 km to 150-mile stage race competitions. Having made a name for himself on the local ultra scene Wardian tested his ability on an International level running in the 2000 Marathon Des Sables in Morocco and the 2001 Himalayan 100 Miler in India. Wardian was the first American finisher in both events and set a course record in the Himalayan 100 Miler (course record was broken in 2004).

In 2002 while looking to get back to speed work and short distances, Wardian set his sights on the 2004 Olympic trails. He ran a qualifying time of 2:21:48 in the Detroit Free Press marathon in October, 2003 and finished 33rd at the trials in Birmingham in February 2004.
In 2004, Wardian set a former “World Record for a Marathon run on a Treadmill” in 2:23:58.

In 2006, Wardian did what some people thought improbable. Wardian won four (4) out of five (5) marathons (wins: “Shamrock Marathon”-2:28:30 on 3/20/06, “National Marathon”-2:30:55 on 3/25/06, “Ocean City Marathon”-2:33:23 on 4/8/06, and “Frederick Marathon”-2:26:44” on 4/30/06, also finished 44th at the “Boston Marathon”-2:29:51 on 4/17/06) in forty (40) days.

In 2007, Wardian repeated his 2006 spring streak by running six marathons in seven weeks. His racing included three wins and a personal best which earned him a position at the 2008 Olympic Trials (this will be his second Olympic Trials appearance). Wins: B & A Trail Marathon, 3/4/07, 2:25:30; National Marathon, 3/24/07, 2:26:36; Ocean City Marathon, 4/7/07, 2:41:20; 3rd at the Shamrock Marathon, 3/18/07, 2:21:37; 2nd at the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon, 4/1/07, 2:45:39; 68th at the Boston Marathon, 4/16/07, 2:33:22. Wardian also, ran in the Olympic Trials on 11/3/07 and won the OBX marathon on 11/11/07 in 2:24:16. Wardian also won the JFK 50 miler on 11/17/07 in 5:50:34, for the 2nd fastest time ever run on the JFK 50 miler course.

On May 6, 2007, Wardian and his son, Pierce Miler, set a Guinness World Record for the “Pram pushing-fastest marathon (men)” by running the Frederick (MD) Marathon in 2:41:21.

  1. In 2008, Wardian won three (3) USA National Championships, as follows:
  2. USA 50 km Championships in a course record and USA National Championship record time of 2:55:05
  3. USA 100 km Championships in a course record 6:56:57. USA 50 Mile Trail Championships in the third fastest time on the course of 6:52:50

In addition, Wardian was 2nd in the USA Marathon Trail Championships in 2:35:04 and has won three (3) of the Nine (9) Marathons that he has run (finishing in the top three in eight of the nine marathons) and set a course record at the National Marathon in Washington, DC (Wardian has won the National Marathon three (3) years in a row).

Wardian also earned a spot on the USA 100K World Team and is proud to represent the USA in the World 100K Championships on November 8, 2008 in Italy.

Wardian runs approximately four races per month ranging in distance from 5 K to marathons and holds a full time job as an international ship broker.

In their own words...

Running achievement I am most proud of: Sharing a World Record with my son Pierce Miler Wardian and being able to inspire people to challenge themselves on a daily basis.

Why I run: To challenge my limits and expand them. I am always looking to push myself to the next level and each day is an opportunity to improve.

Future Goals: 2012 Men’s Olympic Marathon Team, Gold Medal at the 100 km Worlds, Win the Marathon Des Sables, Win the Comrades Marathon, Win Western States 100 Miler.

Favorite quote: Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great. Mark Twain

Date – May 2009