Michael Wardian, 48, of Arlington, Virginia, ended up running the entire length of the United States on Friday, joining a group of less than 400 people known to cross America on foot.
At the same time, Wardian also raised funds to help provide clean drinking water to families around the world. By the time he was ready to make ends meet, he had collected over $100,000—which would be donated to a charitable organization. World sight.
Team Engineji’s Mike Wardian has officially completed his #runninghome Project! He traveled the US in 62 days along Route 50 from San Francisco, CA to Dewey Beach, DE, covering 3,234 miles and raising over $100k for the Clean Water Initiative. @world Vision,
congratulations @mikewardian, pic.twitter.com/C7KUGwyjMv— injinji (@injinji) 1 July 2022
Wardian told USA Today that he always felt like he was ‘made to do this’ despite the difficulties. “It’s my jam, for sure,” Wardian was quoted as saying by USA Today.
His feat reminds people of Tom Hanks-starrer Forrest Gump where the lead character did a similar feat.
Ultramarathon runner and Arlington County resident @mikewardian Finished my cross country run at dawn this morning. “It’s a great feeling of satisfaction, but it’s also exhausting,” he said. Wardian was inspired by Forrest Gump’s cross country run. “This has been a dream of mine for 20s” https://t.co/c5PGxAqReW
— Heather Curtis (@HeatherMCurtis1) 1 July 2022
Wardian’s journey began on May 1, covering 3,234 miles in 13 states, with altitude changes exceeding 132,000 feet.
Not many ultra-runners have even attempted such a feat. His goal was 75 days, but he ended up prematurely dipping his toes in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Delaware.
He told reporters that every single day is full of adventure.
During his journey, he walked 11 and 15 hours a day, covering an average distance of 84 kilometers since he began his adventure. He arranged for a recreational vehicle (RV) where he spent his night.
During most of his runs, he was alone. He was often accompanied by friends, fellow ultra-runners, weekend joggers, but mostly joggers by himself.
The journey was not without pain. He had a herniated disc in his back which prompted him to take up the challenge. He suffered from blisters, went through 43.3 degree Celsius heat in Illinois and ran through snow in Colorado.
It also isn’t the first time Wardian has achieved such a feat—Wardian, a former Michigan State lacrosse player, ran seven marathons on seven continents in seven days.
Wardian, an international shipping broker by trade, decides to take a break from his day job and meets Eric Belz, who helps him by driving the RV and supporting Wardian throughout his journey. In 2016 Belz helped ultramarathoner Karl Meltzer run the Appalachian Trail in record time.
With blisters and sores, Wardian said there were some who slammed their car windows to call him an idiot, while truckers also tried to get him out of the way, but it is the memories of the friends he took with him. Made on the go.
“I’m just Team America right now!” Wardian said. Despite the negativity seen in American society, there was remarkable support throughout, he said.
Meanwhile other marathoners have expressed surprise at the mental toughness displayed by Wardian.
“Even most ultra-runners can’t do it in a day at their own pace. He’s the kind of superhuman who can just move on,” said James Hale, a 42-year-old ultra-runner from Catonsville, Maryland.
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