With over 100 Ultras including thirty 100-miler wins, Karl Meltzer is the consummate Ultra-athlete.  There isn’t much he finds daunting.  As he puts it, “when I break the Appalachian Trail record, I can go down as one of the most diversified runners ever.”  In Karl’s career, he has always tried to “run different things, raise the bar in certain ways.”  The Pony Express Trail and the Appalachian Trail gave him “a different perspective on what is far.”  Karl says, “Although running for 54 days on the AT or 40 on the Pony Express is not really something any ultra-runners really look at as a huge accomplishment, it is to me.  Long Trails like these take it to another level–an endurance level–that even the best 100-mile runners on earth have a hard time swallowing.”  Karl certainly runs to the beat of his own drum and does what he likes.  For example, he doesn’t care how much you pay him, if he doesn’t like it, he won’t wear it! Honesty is important to him—he wants people to know what works for him and what doesn’t.
 
Karl notes that UltrAspire, “works with athletes and uses the info we give, many companies take suggestions and push them aside.  I’ve seen my suggestions really used, which makes UltrAspire very unique and great to work with.”  
 
Karl’s stats includes many first place finishes (many in multiple years between 2002-2011) in Hardrock 100, Leadville 100, Wasatch 100, McNaughton 100, Massannutten 100, Trailwalker 100, Bighorn 100, Bear 100, San Diego 100, Grindstone 100, Pinhoti 100, and many other event.  Two other amazing accomplishments include Red Bull Human Express with 2064 miles; and Zion Traverse at 52 miles. 
 
For 2012, Karl’s main goal is the AT and nothing else.  For this event he will use the UltrAspire Impulse.  A pack created for him, tested by him and already trusted by him for, literally, thousands of miles!