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2017 SESSION

17104992D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 924
Offered February 10, 2017
Commending Michael Wardian.
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Patrons-- Hope, Adams, Austin, Bagby, Bell, John J., Boysko, Bulova, Byron, Carr, Cole, Collins, Cox, Farrell, Freitas, Head, Heretick, Herring, Hugo, Ingram, Keam, Kilgore, Kory, Krizek, Landes, Levine, Lindsey, Lingamfelter, Lopez, Marshall, D.W., Marshall, R.G., McQuinn, Minchew, Murphy, O'Quinn, Pillion, Plum, Pogge, Rasoul, Robinson, Rush, Sickles, Simon, Stolle, Sullivan, Toscano, Tyler, Ward, Ware, Watts, Webert, Wilt and Yancey; Senators: Ebbin, Favola, Howell and Wagner
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WHEREAS, Michael Wardian of Arlington, an American marathoner and ultramarathoner, set a new world record when he ran and won seven back-to-back marathons in the 2017 World Marathon Challenge; and

WHEREAS, Michael “Mike” Wardian was one of 32 men and women to finish the World Marathon Challenge in January 2017, a whirlwind trip around the globe for seven marathons on seven continents in seven days; and

WHEREAS, Mike Wardian not only won all seven marathons but he also broke the three-hour mark in each of the races in Union Glacier, Antarctica; Punta Arenas, Chile; Miami, Florida; Madrid, Spain; Marrakech, Morocco; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; and Sydney, Australia; and

WHEREAS, Mike Wardian shattered the previous World Marathon Challenge record by more than 45 minutes with an average time of 2:45:57 for all of the 26.2-mile races; his slowest time was in Antarctica, where wind chill temperatures were 22 degrees below zero (Fahrenheit); and

WHEREAS, following his performance in the 2017 World Marathon Challenge, Mike Wardian was named USA Track & Field’s Athlete of the Week; he was previously honored by USA Track & Field as the Men’s Master Ultra Trail Runner of the Year in 2014 for both roads and trails; and

WHEREAS, Mike Wardian is a graduate of Oakton High School in Vienna and Michigan State University, where he played Division 1 lacrosse; he began to run competitively only after graduating from college; and

WHEREAS, Mike Wardian’s most recent record-setting performance, and his marathon and ultramarathon career, would not be possible without the love and support of his wife, Jennifer, and their two sons, Pierce and Grant; and

WHEREAS, while at times the 2017 World Marathon Challenge pushed Mike Wardian to his limits, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that he will always cherish; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Michael Wardian on winning and setting a new record in the 2017 World Marathon Challenge; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Michael Wardian as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for his awe-inspiring determination, endurance, and stamina in the field of competitive long-distance running.