Arlington resident Michael Wardian has done it again.
The 42-year-old international shipbroker has set perhaps his most superhuman running record yet: he ran seven marathons on seven continents in seven days, each in under 2:55. Then he went for another 17-mile run just for fun.
The feat started with a 2:54:54 marathon in Antarctica, in -30 degree wind chills, and ended on a summer day in Sydney, Australia yesterday with a 2:45:31 time. In each of the seven marathons, Wardian placed first, besting a former Olympic distance runner, among others.
Wardian’s world record has been reported in Sports Illustrated, Runner’s World and even on ESPN’s SportsCenter early Monday morning.
Even after seven days of nonstop flights, hotels and running, Wardian tells ARLnow.com that he’s “feeling pretty great.”
“It was a huge effort for sure and I just got food which is making sleepy but all good,” he said via email from Sydney. “I also just finished an extra 17 miles to get to 200 miles for the week and that was awesome. I have never run this far before in a week so I am pretty fired up.”
How did he keep his record-setting pace up all week?
“I really went for it each day and just ran my absolute hardest knowing that my body recovers really well between tough efforts,” he said. “I can’t believe it worked out and can’t wait to celebrate with family and friends.”
Wardian said he will be flying back to Arlington on Tuesday and will “work for a few days before heading to New Zealand for the Tarawera 100k” race.
His record-setting week, via Twitter:
https://twitter.com/JenniferWardian/status/825755711820939265
No surprise, @mikewardian does it AGAIN!! 1st place in Dubai! He beat the second place finisher by 33 minutes! Last leg in Sydney tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/h8Z243yUo0
— John Legere (@JohnLegere) January 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/NathanSportsInc/status/825035994659319813
https://twitter.com/JenniferWardian/status/824697146192584704
Miami leg finished – Michael Wardian take top honours again. @Nordiclifeuk @mikebreakfast @WorldMarathon77 @MensRunningUK pic.twitter.com/ox4wgukyfn
— HUTC (@HUTCTV) January 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/JenniferWardian/status/824022258578550785
https://twitter.com/JenniferWardian/status/823730069180923904