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Run Hard or Stay Home: Michael Wardian Off To Belgium for 2009 World Cup
By George Banker LDR Chair, PVA/USATFJune 14, 2009
Washington, DC
Special to the Washington Running Report
Photo below by Brightroom: Michael Wardian raced the 2009 Yuengling Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach, VA during March.
Local athlete, Michael Wardian (35) of Arlington, VA, will be representing the United States at the 100K World Cup and Championship to be held in Torhout, Belgium on Friday, June 19. Wardian, is a graduate of Michigan State University and a former Division I lacrosse player. In 1996 Wardian entered his first marathon (Marine Corps-3:06) and to date he has completed more than 100+ marathons and has a marathon PR of 2:21:09 set just this year at the Vermont City Marathon on May 24, 2009.
The Potomac Valley Association (PVA) of USA Track & Field is pleased to be a proud supporter of Wardian who displays the quality of an all-around athlete. The sport is part of his passion along with his family, wife Jennifer, and sons Pierce and Grant. PVA is about supporting the development of our local athletes as they rise on the international scene. Wardian has been visible at numerous events and is never fearful of any competitor is all about the business of racing.
At the 2009 50K National Championship (Lloyd, NY) Wardian placed first with 2:56:36 and qualified to advance to the 50K World Championship on October 31, 2009 in Gibraltar.
At the 2009 Marathon des Sables in Qued Amsailikh, Morocco, March 29 - April 4 (a 151-mile six day staged race across the Sahara Desert) Wardian placed eighth overall and was the first American in a time of 18:44:49 and it was best finish ever by an athlete from the United States of America.
In 2008 he received the USATF Ted Corbitt Ultrarunner of the Year award. Last year at the 100K World Cup in Italy Wardian placed ninth overall and was the first American.
In 2008 Wardian won three USA National Championships:
USA National 50K Championship (course record and USA National Championship record) - 2:55:05
USA National 100K Championship in a course record time of 6:56:57
USA National 50 Mile Trail Championship with a time of 6:52:50
(Third fastest time on course).
Wardian is a three-time winner of the National Marathon, Washington, DC (2006- 2:30:55, 2007- 2:26:35, 2008- 2:24:59). This year Wardian placed second with a time of 2:22:15.
Wardian is an ambassador of the sport and on behalf of PVA we wish him our best on his quest to bring the "Gold" for the USA and the team. It is known that on any given day Wardian will do his best.
Michael Wardian posts entries on his Running Times blog every few weeks. Read Michael's Blog for his latest thoughts on racing.
The November/December 2003 Washington Running Report wrote a Runner on the Way Up story on Michael Wardian. Read More