Quick Facts
Biography
Karl Meltzer (born December 8, 1967, nicknamed "Speedgoat Karl") is an ultrarunner and ultrarunning coach based in Sandy, Utah.Meltzer has won more 100-mile ultramarathons than any other ultramarathoner, and has held speed records at major U.S. trails, including the Appalachian Trail and the Pony Express Trail. Meltzer's trail runs have been featured in news outlets from Ultrarunning.com to NBC Sports. Meltzer has been a professional ultramarathoner since 1999, and a coach since 2007.
While many ultramarathoners tend to be vegetarian, vegan, and anti-alcohol or caffeine, Meltzer has been seen with bacon, Red Bull, and microbrews.
On September 18, 2016, Meltzer set an Appalachian Trail record by completing the 2,190 miles over 14 states in 45 days 22 hours and 38 minutes.Meltzer's record was eclipsed in September 2017 by Joe McConaughy in a self-supported run. The current A.T. fastest known time was by Belgian runner Karel Sabbe, who completed the trail in 41 days, 7 hours, and 39 minutes on August 29, 2018.
Meltzer is the current Race Director for the Speedgoat 50K at Snowbird Ski Resort.
Ultramarathon wins
- All-time winner at the Wasatch 100 (6 times)
- Hardrock 100 (5 times)
- San Diego 100 (3 times)
- Squaw Peak 50 (5 times)
- Bighorn 100 (2 times)
- Bear 100 (3 times)
- Massanutten 100 (4 times)
- Coyote Two Moon 100 (2 times)
- Moab Red Hot 50k (2 times)
- Zane Grey Highline Trail 50 Mile Run
- Devil Dog 100
As of February 26, 2015, Meltzer had won at the 100 mile-distance 36 times, the all-time record.As of March 7, 2010, he had 53 ultra wins in 105 starts.
- Most 100-mile wins during a calendar year with six in 2006, four of them record performances, the final four in a period of eight weeks.Five wins in 2007, 2009, and four in 2005 (previous record held by Eric Clifton, with four 100-mile wins in 1991; Joe Hildebrand also won four 100s in 1999).Meltzer has four times won at least four 100s in a calendar year.
- USATF, Ultrarunning Magazine, RRCA Runner of the Year 2006, Everest Award 2006
- 2nd place Ultrarunning Magazine Ultrarunner of the Year 2007, 2009
- Maine to Georgia 2008, 2176 miles, 500,000′ vertical climbing, in 54 days, 21 hours, 12 minutes, the 4th fastest Appalachian Trail thru-hike. Meltzer stayed up to date with his fans and followers with a catchy "Where's Karl?" campaign.
- Speed Record for running the Pony Express Trail from Sacramento, California to St. Joseph, Missouri
- On September 18, 2016, Meltzer set an Appalachian Trail record by completing the 2,190 miles over 14 states in 45 days 22 hours and 38 minutes.
Race results
2009
- Moab 34 mile, Feb 14(finished 3rd, PR by 13 minutes, great run) 4:13
- Way Too Cool 50k, March 14(finished 20th, minor calf injury at 25) 4:08
- Massanutten 100, May 16(finished 1st, 17 minutes off CR)Won by 2+ hours.18:29
- Pocatello 50 mile relay-3 runners May 23.Won the first leg overall 17 miles-2:23
- Bighorn 100, June 19(finished 1st in 19:13 with a Course Record) Won by 2+ hours
- Hardrock 100, July 10(finished 1st in 24:38.Counter-clockwise record, 5th Hardrock win.Won by 1.5 hours)
- Jupiter Peak Steeplechase 16 mile, August 8 (20th place)
- Wasatch 100, September 11 (Finished 2nd, but under previous CR, 19:12)
- Grindstone 100, October 2(Finished 1st, course record by about 2 hours) 18:46
- Pinhoti 100, November 7(Finished 1st, course record by over 2 hours)17:12
2010
- Moab Red Hot 50k, February 13 – 1st, new course, so a course record.4:19.07
- Coyote Two Moon 100, March 6 – 1st, second win at C2M.21:05
- Jemez Mountain 50m, May 22 - 7th, 14:27:20
- Mt. Ashland Hillclimb Run, August 7 - 17th, 2:06:59
2019
- Devil Dog 100, December 7-8 – 1st, 19:21:07