Michael Wardian

Ultrarunner Michael Wardian has run all over the world and is continually crushing his goals for Fastest Known Times, the most challenging ultras, and self-designed solo events, such as running a 50k around the Washington Monument (350 laps!) and running the length of Delaware. His travel calendar is packed, having recently returned from setting FKTs in the British Virgin Islands. He lives in Northern Virgina and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and you just might see him at a local run on the shore. Read on to see what races are next and what non-running race is on the horizon.

When and why did you start running? 
I started running in high school for lacrosse and became a runner in 1995 when I stopped playing lacrosse at Michigan State University and started training for the Boston marathon. 

Did you have big plans for a running career or did it just sort of happen? One thing led to the next? 
I definitely did not have big plans to become a runner. I just wanted to run the Boston marathon once and I got hooked. I loved Marine Corps and then Boston blew my mind. I wanted more finish lines and I haven’t stopped chasing that feeling since 1996. 

You have an extensive list of accolades but a few to mention are winning seven marathons in seven days on seven continents (2017), setting more than 25 FKT’s (Fastest Known Times) on routes around the world, and your run across the USA, “Running Home” to raise money for clean water for World Vision (2022). Is it possible to pick a few favorites of all the things you’ve done?
I do have a long list of accomplishments and events that I’ve done, but I think some of the highlights are the ones that you did above and I’m also really proud of qualifying for three Olympic trials in the men’s marathon and being on eight USA teams for the 100K world championships and 3 times for the 50K world championships and bringing home medals for the United States. Also, I think setting some Guinness World Records has been really cool. 

Congratulations on finishing Hardrock – 100 miles in the Colorado mountains with 66,000 feet of elevation change. How do you embrace something so difficult? Just keep powering through or do you have a plan of attack? 
I definitely had a plan of action. I really wanted to finish in the top 20, top athlete over 50 and as one of the top East Coast athletes. I also wanted to share the experience with as many people as possible and I accomplish so many of those goals. I was 19th male, 24th overall, 2nd person over 50 and the first East Coast runner. Also, it was my 5th finish which is a huge milestone at Hardrock so very proud of that.  I also wanted to volunteer and I got to volunteer multiple days and made an impact. That was so awesome. 

 Another congrats for the Dewey Beach 100 Miler on a steamy day recently!  A mile out and back, 50 times, had to get boring. How do you push yourself? 
I loved the Dewey Beach 100 miler, it was effective, contained and tough. It was also the first 100 miler in Delaware that I know about. So really pumped that we had a good turn out the first year. 
I pushed myself as I was using it for Hardrock training and I am so glad I did as it reminded me that 100 milers are hard, no matter how many times you have done them before. 

I recall watching you run pushing your boys in a stroller, and you later set a Guiness World Record for fastest marathon doing just that. What was it like to have one of your sons run Marine Corps Marathon alongside you? 
Yeah, it has been so cool to watch the boys growing up and get to share my love of running with them. Finishing the Marine Corps Marathon with Pierce last year was an absolute dream come true and it still makes me so happy to think about it. 

How many miles and races do you do a year? 
I run about 3,500 – 5,000 miles a year and race about 500-1,000 miles a year. 

You don’t seem to get injured. How do you stay healthy? Is cross training with Jesse Fuller @FullerRunsFar your secret weapon?
I definitely think working with Jesse and my buddy Tom Mayrhofer has helped me be super active and improved my longevity and resilience. 

Are you vegan/vegetarian? Why did you make that choice?
I am mostly vegan since 2022 when I ran across the United States on Route 50. I eat honey so some people would say that is not vegan and that is cool. I just try to do what works for me. I have been vegetarian for over 30 years and have done variations over the years and currently vegan is working really well for me. 

If you don’t have a race, you make a race or find a new challenge. In fact, you also play competitive chess and pickleball. Your interests are quite varied! What’s next for you, running or otherwise?
I have a lot of challenges on deck. Currently, I am setting Fastest Known Times in the British Virgin Islands and then I am going to Burning Man to race the Burning Man 50k with the goal of winning it.  I also have an attempt on the American 50-54 record for 50 miles held by Ted Corbitt, I am also working to run a fast marathon at the Marathon Project in December and will be doing the Marine Corps Marathon in October. It should be a great fall. I also signed up to do the Worlds’s Toughest Row in 2027 and will be rowing solo across the Atlantic Ocean in December 2027. 

Any Delmarva races planned this year? I promised the race director I’d ask you about Pemberton 24, a 5k every hour for 24 hours, in Salisbury in September, and his other race, Algonquin 50K. You did that one the “Snow Bomb” year. Any chance you’ll be back? 
Oh, that 5k every hour sound fun. I might be into that depending on dates. 
Here you go! It’s Sept. 19-20. https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=122721

One more thing to mention – a local FKT is here on Delmarva on Assateague Island end to end (MD, VA). Maybe you’ll consider running that one day. We can help with the logistics if needed! 
https://fastestknowntime.com/route/assateague-island-end-end-md-va
Heck yeah. I would love that.