Mike Wardian runs 135 miles north to south through Delaware
Mike Wardian of Arlington, Va., is the congenial crazy guy of ultra distance running. Mike is an in-the-moment personality who does not have to win races, just finish them.
Mike, a former Michigan State lacrosse player, defies biological analysis. Most of his endeavors would flatten the curve of their own existence for runners who try to keep up with Mike.
Running alongside for 50K – roughly 30 miles – in support seemed quite enough for a running buddy. Mike left Wilmington July 3 with Nick Cruz on a 135-mile, north-to-south journey ending in Fenwick Island. The travel lounge adventure revealed that trails upstate are actually named after people, like the Jack Markell Trail and the Mike Castle Trail. Cruz ran the first 28 miles, then handed off Wardian to Mike Marciano, who ran 50K over the back roads through the center of the state all the way to Milford. Martin Rodriguez and Joey Andrisani joined Mike in Milford, running on the shoulder of Route 1 against traffic. It's safest when running to see what’s coming. Martin, Joey and Mike make a congenial trio, and all are top-shelf runners.
Mike and his wife Jennifer, and sons Pierce and Grant are set to purchase a property near Rehoboth this August not far from where Jen’s parents live. Mike completed the journey in just over 24 hours. Wardian is a world traveler, but at Sesame Street by the Sea in eastern Sussex County, he has earned muppet status. Just say Wardian and the running community knows the rest of the story, which you can Google if you have half a day to chill in your air-conditioned home office.
