Local runner takes to trail for a cause

Matt Karzen is a lunchtime runner, spending many of his lunch hours running the streets around Athens, Ga.

An avid runner since his sophomore year of high school, Karzen began running to stay in shape and for fun. Recently he’s been preparing for a run like none other he has attempted — a 76-mile-nonstop jaunt through a section of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia.

Karzen isn’t doing it for himself this time, but instead he is running for the Special Forces Warrior Foundation. The SOWF provides full-scholarship grants as well as educational and family counseling to the surviving children of special operations members who die in operational or training.

Karzen became aware of the SOWF after running in an ultramarathon in which many of the competitors were Army Rangers stationed at Fort Benning in Georgia.

Admittedly interested in foreign policy and current affairs, Karzen, an attorney, became particularly intrigued in the training that is required for members of the special forces.

“I became fascinated with these young guys who were as tough as mountain goats and supremely capable — both mentally and physically,” Karzen said.

After researching the training regimen that is required of the special forces, Karzen said he began thinking of ways he could express appreciation for their sacrifices and that’s when he came across the SOWF.

“I wanted to have a meaningful, tangible impact and this was the organization I wanted to do something for,” he said. “So I put this run together and tried to spread the word, and the money has been coming in pretty well.”

Karzen is a member of the Rock/Creek Race Team, which is sponsored by the Chattanooga outdoors franchise comprised of endurance athletes who compete in various adventure races, trail marathons and ultramarathons.

His trek will begin near the North Carolina-Georgia border about 5 a.m. on July 25th. The terrain will feature more than 19,000 feet of vertical climbing and about 20,000 feet of vertical drops.

No stranger to long-distance running, he said this run will be much tougher because it is mostly unsupported.

“The only support I’ll have is what I carry with me or what I arrange to have along the trail,” he said.

Though he will mostly be running alone, Karzen said a few of his friends will run different 10-15 mile sections with him providing him some company.

Karzen isn’t exactly sure how long it will take him to complete the run but estimated it could take 20 to 35 hours.

“By Sunday night the 26th, I’ll be back home in bed hopefully,” he said.