Michael Wardian

About

Michael Wardian (born April 12, 1974) is an American ultrarunner, vegetarian, and international shipbroker from Arlington, Virginia who has spent three decades redefining what a working professional can accomplish in endurance sport. He qualified for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in 2004, 2008, and 2012; won the JFK 50 Mile in 2007; claimed the U.S. 50km championship three consecutive years (2008-2010) and the U.S. 50 Mile championship in 2011; and was named inaugural IAU Ultra Athlete of the Year in 2011 and USATF Ultra Runner of the Year in 2008 and 2009. He holds a marathon personal best of 2:17:49 and has set 25 Fastest Known Time records across five countries. In 2017 he won the World Marathon Challenge — seven marathons on seven continents in seven days — averaging 2:45:57 per race. In February 2026 he won it for a record third time, setting a Guinness World Record with a combined time of 26:40:16 and shattering the previous mark by over four hours. His race résumé spans Badwater, UTMB, the Marathon des Sables, the Barkley Marathons, Hardrock 100, Leadville 100, Western States, and a 2019 FKT on the 631-mile Israel National Trail. Running approximately 3,750 miles per year while maintaining a full-time career, Wardian remains one of ultrarunning's most prolific and genuinely extraordinary competitors.

Notable Wins

• — JFK 50 Mile 2007
• — US 50km Championship 2008 2009 2010
• — US 50 Mile Championship 2011
• — World Marathon Challenge 2017
• — World Marathon Challenge 2026 (Guinness World Record)

Race History