Michael Wardian, 36, Arlington, Virginia won the 2008 USATF Ultra Runner of the Year title. Since then he has won the 2009 USATF 50K championship, won the 2010 National Marathon 4 times, was a member of the 2009 USATF 100k World Team, National Marathon Runner Up, 3rd place 50K World Championship, 6th 100K World Championship, 2010 winner ING Miami Marathon.

He has excelled at the Marathon Des Sables in the Sahara Desert, a 151 mile 6 day Moroccan stage race carrying your own gear. His first entry in 2000 earned him 26th place; now 10 years later he placed 3rd at 23:01:03 – the first American finisher.

Motivated by challenge, Michael thrives when he thinks he might be in a little over his head. He maintains a strict training schedule running 100 miles a week including an hour on the treadmill coached by his 3 year-old-son, Pierce. Although he takes no supplements and is an octo-lacto vegetarian, he does love calzone and cheese.

Sponsors PowerBar, the NorthFace, Moeben, Rudy Project Sunglasses, Pacers Running Stores and website Marathon Guide.com makes his grueling race schedule possible.

He dreams of summiting Mount Everest and competing in the Hawaii Iron Triathlon but is always working to get better at life, to express himself and to visit places. He derives great pleasure from helping and motivating others.