It's too bad that the Pitch didn't dig a little deeper into the accuracy of this story by verifying their information with reliable sources. While Karl did hope to run 26 marathons in 26 days, his body was not up to the task and as the article stated, the rest of the team pulled together to run the miles that Karl could not. What the article did not reflect, was that almost two-thirds of the $17,000 the article stated that Mr.. Keltner raised was actually raised by other TNT participants for their own Team in Training fundraising goal and they received their benefits as a Team member. Therefore, this was not through Karl's efforts, but other team members' efforts. They would have raised the money regardless of Karl because that is what is required as a team member to train with the team and attend the marathon.

For someone to present himself as a cancer patient advocate and then to purposely mislead the truth about raising money for cancer patients is shameful . Karl may have been hired because of his athleticism, but the word on the trails is that Karl Keltner was asked to step down because of inappropriate behavior, but that's another story....

Each team participant raises thousands of dollars to help people with cancer so I think it should be "Team in Training" and not Karl Keltner who is commended for their work in the community.

Don't sling mud w/o slinging all of it...what did he do?

I am not afraid to write my real name, unlike Mr./Ms. Half Marathon (coward) and betty (gossiper). You need to get your facts straight. Karl did not solicit for this award (he had no idea he received it until a friend congratulated him) or has he ever said he has accomplished his charitable work on his own. I would like to see you attempt such a feat, in the name of charity. My husband is an amazing athlete who loves to do for others. He has always acknowledged that he can only do this type of work because of his great support system. Team members were not the only people responsible for fundraising--we were able to bring in a number of corporate sponsorships that had nothing to do with individual fundraising, in addition to team member funds and the publicity from the event. The important part was that all of the money went to the cause, , so, NO, all of that money would NOT have been raised without his efforts (which was closer to $20K, by the way). His leadership and vision made Relentless for a Cure a reality, along with the work of friends, families and supporters. You should know better than to listen to the "word on the trails." Karl resigned from his position for a number of reasons and was not asked to step down. "Great minds discuss ideas, mediocre minds discuss events, small minds discuss people." --Eleanor Roosevelt

Karl is a man of conviction, honesty, drive, and integrity. As the father of a child with Leukemia, Karl helped me meet my goal of completing a marathon to raise money for the Leukeima Socirty. Without his leadership, guidance, and understanding I would never have achieved this goal.

For someone to have the audacity to attempt to smear this mans name and dishonor this award is unsettling. It is sad that people in society today, people like half-marathon, choose the low road - I have generally found these type of people to have little character or belief in mankind.

anyway, I for one stand behind Karl and what he stands for - his belief in others ability to accomplish great things, and the training he provides to allow them to do so, coupled with his charitable overtones cannot be questioned.

Thank you karl and congratulations on the award.

Mike - Dan Diego RnR 2004

I don't really understand why people feel like they have something to prove by degrading others. K2 was an inspiration to myself and many others throughout my training with TNT. He was encouraging, supportive, knowledgeable, tough and fun. Don't we all have better things to do with our time then to try to cut each other down? We are all trying to do our part to help out LLS. We are all entitled to our opinions, but we don't necessarily need to share them. If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all. Congratulations K2!

Some people don't get it. If you are a good man and do good things some people can't stand it. It drives them crazy if you don't have angels wings and do the right thing. Something must be 'misrepresented'. Get over it halfbakedmarathon. Karl is true to his convictions. Karl gives more of himself in one year than you probably will your whole life. I don't know you (probably) so I don't who you run with on the trails but what I hear on the 'trails' is that Karl is intense and giving. Two words that usually don't go together but if you know Karl they fit like a glove. Look in the mirror and take care of that person. I trained for my first 3 TnT under the previous coach but came back to mentor a team under Karl. So he didn't help me finish my first marathon and I don't have a remarkable story about he picked me up and help me limp over the finish line but he gave me his time and talent and that is priceless. I will never forget his passion for the sport. Congrats Karl. Go TnT.

I always tell people that K2 is a tough Marine that likes to bark! Loud and proud! BUT, when he barks it's because he truly cares about you! I am one of those people that did my first marathon under Karl's leadership and loved it so much that I went on to complete 6 more -- and counting -- marathons. I left TNT and the Leukemia Society for moral reasons, but still continue to train with Karl. I reccommend Karl highly and have nothing but good things to say about him.
The thing about Karl is that he speaks his mind and that drives about 99% of the world nuts. Their problem not his....

Karl EARNED this reward. He spent almost a decade training hundreds of people to run their first marathon for TNT. He should be congratulated for his achievement....end of story.

Karl is amazing. He has more drive and endurance in his pinky than most of us will ever dream of and he is modest about everything he's accomplished - I've never seen him showboat. He deserves this recognition and then some. Your slander is pathetic "half marathon."

For any award or recognition to be worth its merit it must have criteria that are objective. To look at the Relentless for a Cure campaign as a charity event and determines its worth for an award one has to determine if the event’s mission was met. The mission of the Relentless for a Cure campaign was three fold. They were: first, to raise awareness for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; second, to recruit new participants for the Nike Marathon and third, to raise funds.

So did Karl Keltner meet these goals for the “Relentless” campaign that he created– the answer is yes. As Karl and others ran marathons (sometimes with him – sometimes for him) from various Starbucks around town people found out about the Society. There were press releases and news coverage –so indeed more people are aware.

Second, did the activities generate new participants? Yes again. I personally know of a handful of people that signed up to be part of the program as a result of meeting members and Karl at those Starbucks around town.

And third, did the event raise funds? Again, yes – almost $20,000. Nowhere was it ever stated who had to raise the money or that Karl would raise money alone. It was a joint effort by many people.

Karl always said “we” as he talked about what had been accomplished. He was the originator of the idea and the one who shaped the mission. From an objective point of view did Karl accomplish the mission of the Relentless for a Cure campaign? Objectively, yes. The award is deserved.

Only those who need to feel better about themselves by belittling the accomplishments of others would see this award for anything other than what it is – an award to recognize the efforts of one person trying to help his community.

There are people who can only feel better about themselves will do so by trying to tarnish others. Where I’m from we call them bullies and cowards. So to “Half Marathon” instead of trying to raise yourself up by bringing someone else down maybe you should expand your energy on trying to improve your community. It would be time better spent.

I feel bad for asking now. Good for him. Keep up the good work...!

Karl,

Congratualtions on an awesome award and achievement, you earned it, every mile of it, and more importantly YOU deserve it. Keep up the good work that you do for everyone.