Michael Wardian runs so fast that his race bib is nearly torn off as he wins the Leesburg 20K in 1:06:29 on August 10, 2008.

The Potomac Valley Association of USA Track and Field salutes Michael Wardian of Arlington, VA. On April 12, 2008 at Vilas Park in Madison, WI, Wardian added another winning race to his resume. At the Mad City 100K US National Championship for the 100K distance he took first place in 6 hours 56 minutes 57 seconds. In winning the event, he beat the American qualifying standard of 7:20:00 and earned a berth on the US national team to compete in the I.A.U. World Cup Championship 100K in Tusciana, Italy (November 8, 2008). In March 2008, he won the USA National 50K Championship (2:55:05). In addition, In July 2008 Wardian won the USA National 50 Mile Trail Championships in 6:52:50 at the White River 50 Miler in Crystal Mountain, Washington. Wardian, also was the runner up at the USA National Trail Marathon Championships in Deadwood, SD in 2:35:35.

Wardian works as an International Ship Broker for Potomac Maritime, LLC in Georgetown, Washington, DC. Wardian is sponsored by MarathonGuide.com, PowerBar and Moeben, among others.

While attending Michigan State he played Division I lacrosse and started to running while he was a junior. In 1996 he ran his first marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon on 3:06:54 and the following year (1997) he ran the Boston Marathon in 2:54:00.

Wardian is a dynamic runner who represents the running community on a local and international level and serves as an ambassador for the area. The tough competition in endurance events serves to bring out the better side of Wardian as he can call up the determination to push through discomfort and challenge himself on a continual basis. In events where he does not win, the reply often is he had a good hard race and may have achieved a PR. You have got to respect an athlete who has shown the commitment to pursue his dreams, the pursuit of speediness.

The Potomac Valley Association is saluting Wardian for his accomplishments and significant contributions through his running. He stays at the top of his game, training, preparation, and always willing to accept a challenge.

Some addition, highlights of Wardian's career are as follows: On April 9-16, 2000 Wardian was the first American finisher at the Marathon Des Sables, Qued Amsailikh, Morocco in a time of 27:00:30

On March 4, 2001 at the 10th B&A Trail Marathon in Severna Park, MD Wardian won the event in record time. "The guys looked like they had that dead eye stare. I knew I had it when I turned the corner, mile 19-20, and saw their eyes. I could feel it and the only way I was going to lose was going to be by me. A 2:32:23 is not stellar but good enough for around here." On November 2-9, 2001 at the 11th International Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race (over five days) in India, a five-day stage race. Wardian established a new record with a time of 14:58.

Wardian competed in Men's Olympic Team Marathon Trials in 2004 (2:22:40) and 2008 (2:30:54).

USA Track & Field - Potomac Valley Association Regional Association for the State of Maryland, District of Columbia, and Northern Virginia of the National Governing Body for Track & Field, Long Distance Running, and Race Walking (http://www.usatf.org/assoc/pva