By Alix J. Shutello
Mike Wardian’s name is synonymous with achievement. The 38-year-old Virginia native has created a name for himself not only around DC, where he is well-known in the community, but around the world. Wardian, a marathoner and triathlete gone endurance runner, has crushed records and has impressed some of the most prolific ultra runners with his top finishes at globally significant races. He has competed in more 150 marathons, 60 ultramarathons, and 20 triathlons around the world
And Wardian is unique: he has achieved a couple of Guinness World Records—one for fastest marathon while pushing a jogging stroller and one for competing in a superhero costume. Wardian, who is self-coached, is also a former record holder of the fastest marathon on a treadmill. He’s also qualified and participated in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Men’s Olympic Marathon trials. Wardian’s racing career has been charmed, and each year he stretches the limits of what he can do by running as much as he can with great reward. In mid-April 2010, Wardian finished 3rd at the Marathon des Sables, a six-day, 251 km (156 mi) ultra marathon (equivalent to six regular marathons) in 23 hours 1 minute 3 seconds. This was the best time ever achieved by an American male. On July 1, 2010, Wardian set the record for fastest indoor 200-meter track marathon record, with a time of 2:27:21. Wardian has also won the Nation’s Marathon three times, as well as the USA 50 km Championships three years in a row.
In 2011 Mike Wardian had an epic year. For starters, in February 2011, the International Association of Ultrarunners named Wardian its inaugural Athlete of the Year. In March, he received the Guinness World Record at the Lower Potomac River Marathon for being the fastest person to run a marathon in a Spider-Man suit. In June 2011, Wardian was the first American to cross the finish line at Comrades, the world-renowned (54-56)-mile race that stretches between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. His 11th-place finish was the best placement of any American male ever at Comrades. He went on to place 3rd at the Badwater 135-miler in Death Valley, Ca., in July 2012. On top of that, Wardian won 6 marathons (his average pace was a 2:21 marathon; his fastest was 2:17) and was ranked 8th in the world at the 100k. “2011 was indeed epic,” Wardian commented.
Sidetracked by Injury and His Son’s Health
Just days before the October 27, 2011 Marine Corps Marathon (MCM), Wardian’s youngest son, Grant, had a seizure. The time leading up to and after the MCM was a period of high stress and sleepless nights as he and his wife Jennifer tried to come to terms with their son’s condition and learn how to manage it. Grant would be diagnosed with Epilepsy. Despite worrying about Grant, Wardian came in 2nd at the 2011 MCM. The following week, as he prepared for the IMG NYC Marathon, Grant had several more seizures. That same week, Wardian went running, fell, and split his face open. He pulled out of the NYC Marathon, but travelled to California and ran a 2:21 at the Santa Barbara Marathon on November 10, followed by a second-place win at the JFK 50-miler. Both he and winner David Riddle broke the course record.
The sleep deprivation and constant running started to take its toll. Grant sometimes had seizures on the way home from races, and so Wardian’s family, which include his wife Jennifer and sons Pierce and Grant, stopped travelling to races as frequently. Wardian started to feel strain in his hips during the fall of 2011; but he didn’t stoptraining and competing. Despite the pelvic discomfort, Wardian had a great start to his 2012 season. In January 2012, he ran 2:21 at the US Olympic Trials in Houston on Saturday, January 14, and 2:31 at the Houston Marathon the next morning. He finished 62nd at the Trials and 16th at the Marathon. Soon, however, things slowed down: Wardian came in a disappointing 35th at Comrades in the spring of 2012, and had slower times at some of his more signature races in the spring.
In summer of 2012 he was attempting to run a half marathon— and pulled up after 5 miles with excruciating pain. His whole pelvis was hurting to the point that he went to an orthopedist.
“Dropping from the race was the sign I needed to go to the doctor,” Wardian said. “I went to an orthopedist and they didn’t see anything on an X-ray—but they saw five stress fractures throughout my pelvis on the MRI.”
Wardian took a leave from running in September 2012 and keeps fit by cycling and aqua jogging. He pulled out from the 2012 Marine Corps Marathon and the IMG NYC Marathon (which no one ran, due to Hurricane Sandy). “The aqua jogging is a good workout. I was surprised,” he said. “The cycling, however, has been great. I went out and bought a good bike and am cycling all over the place.” Wardian was scheduled to run The North Face Endurance Challenge 50k on November 17, 2012 and the Kinhaven 5k on November 18, 2012 (a race he and his wife, Jennifer, put on) as well as The North Face 50-miler in December; but right now, racing in general is tentative. “The worst would be to push coming back and then have to start over again,” Wardian mused. As for Grant, medication has helped—his last seizure was in April 2012; but there is always that concern for him.
Community Ties
When Wardian is not racing, working or spending time with family, he is out in the community – and even more so now as he rests in order to heal his pelvis. He often posts on his Facebook page that he’ll be attending a local event and invites his fans to join him. Often, Wardian is asked to speak at events. Lately, he’s even served as support staff at races.
“It was nice to help people get through a race, and I liked giving back. It’s weird not being in the race, though,” he said.
Despite not running, Wardian loves the visibility and the interaction with other athletes. “It’s important to inspire people,” he said. Currently Wardian is volunteering with High Cloud Foundation, an international non-profit that works to help alleviate world poverty for children, orphans, families and mothers who are victims of violence or natural disasters occurring throughout the world. They build schools around the world, and use runners as ambassadors.
Planning for 2013
Wardian has signature races that he likes to do each year, but oftentimes he hops into races that people invite him to because he enjoys racing so much. Often, he’ll be traveling to race each week. “Competition is really rewarding,” said Wardian. “I have seen so much. I can be alone in a race and see a mountain pass and love how cool it is.” All of his sponsors have been very supportive. His North Face team comprises a bunch of top-notch athletes with whom Wardian loves to train and compete. His list of signature races next year includes The North Face 50-miler, the IAU 100k World Championships, and Comrades. His other goals for next year include the Hard Rock 100-miler, the Western States 100, the North Face® Ultra-Trail Du Mont-Blanc® and numerous other marathons (including Miami, Disney, and Tallahassee—all in February 2013).
Wardian wants to win one of his 100-milers and/or get on the podium. He’d like a top ten finish at the Two Oceans Marathon, a 56 km / 35 mile ultramarathon held annually in Cape Town, South Africa, where he came in 16th last year. He’d even like to get to the 154-mile Spartathalon Ultra Race in Greece in September 2013.
First, however, is Wardian’s pelvis. That needs to heal, so he can persevere.
