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Michael Wardian of Arlington, VA Named USATF Athlete of the Week
From USA Track & FieldOctober 26, 2011
Indianapolis, IN
Michael Wardian (photo left courtesy of Grandma's Marathon), 37, of Arlington, VA has been named USA Track & Field’s Athlete of the Week after winning the USA 50 Mile Championships and setting a course record on Sunday, October 23. Wardian covered the course at the Tussey Mountainback Race in Boalsburgh, PA in 5:33:46. His time broke the previous course record by nearly 10 minutes and put him 17 minutes ahead of runner-up and former course record-holder Todd Braje.
“I’m so excited, I’ve never been Athlete of the Week before,” said Wardian when notified of the honor. “It doesn’t matter what I do, someone always does something better. I’ll win a race, but Ryan Hall will set an American Record, or Tyson Gay will run the fastest time in the world.”
Wardian averaged 6:39 mile pace over the 50 mile course that included 5,000 feet of elevation gain to earn himself a new PR (personal record) by nearly 17 minutes.
According to New York Road Runners, Michael Wardian is planning to run the ING New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 6; he last raced the event in 1998. He also is entered in his hometown Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday, October 30.
Now in its tenth year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on www.usatf.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.