Mike Wardian Describes His 100K Bronze Medal Race
by News
- November 10, 2010
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Mike Wardian, on the right, placed third at the 2010 100K Championships. Photo: Mike Wardian
The American ultra marathoner held the lead for part of the championship race.
Mike Wardian came close to winning the International Association of Ultra Runners 100K Championship race last Sunday in Gibraltar. The Arlington, Virginia resident held the lead for part of the race, which was a series of 18, 5K loops and one 10K lead-in loop. Near the finish, Wardian, and last year’s champion, Jonus Buud of Sweden were passed by eventual winner Shinji Nakadai of Japan who ran the course in 6:43:44. Buud placed second, while Wardian crossed the line third in 6:49:18.
Talking with Competitor.com, Wardian admitted that he was surprised by the Japanese runner’s late-race surge.
“I was surprised that Nakadai still had that much left when he passed me. He was struggling earlier and I pushed the pace and opened up a gap but he closed it down and then was able to put six minutes on me so I was impressed for sure,” Wardian said.
Team USA placed second in the championships.
Wardian’s is now setting his sights on qualifying for the 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials by running the California International Marathon in December.
“I will be aiming for sub 2:18 .Yes, one minute under the 2:19 standard,” Wardian noted.