Spirit of Joshua Award
Staging a marathon is extremely stressful and very labor intensive, offset however by the many special moments each marathon reveals. Our greatest rewards are by far the people we are privileged to meet and the incredible stories they share with us. One such encounter occurred Marathon Sunday 2002.
While most people were finished with their race and the task of break down and clean up had begun, a member of our staff was approached by a young woman requesting her brother's marathon medal. 
A call went out over the radio for the event directors to meet at the command center. A hush went over the group as the young woman, who introduced herself as Jill, quietly spoke about her best friend. She explained how six months earlier he had excitedly committed to run his first marathon and had chosen ours to run. She promised him that she would be there for him when he crossed the finish line and together they planned for a special trip to San Diego. He was not there on race day. Jill's best friend, her brother Joshua, had perished along with thousands others in the World Trade Center as a result of the attacks of September 11, 2001. In spite of her still fresh pain Jill knew she had to keep her promise to her brother and without telling her family or friends she made what was to be a fun trip to San Diego with her brother, alone.
We were all so touched and inspired by Jill and her brother Joshua who we've come to know through Jill. From this encounter the Spirit of Joshua Award was born. This award is presented annually to someone who has overcome great obstacles to get to the marathon. It is a living tribute to Josh and to his sister Jill, who despite her brother's death, kept her commitment to him.
2012 Spirit of Joshua Award Recipient Kyle Garlett
Kyle is the epitome of a survivor. He has survived cancer four times and received a heart transplant over a span of 17 years. Not only has he survived, but he has gone on to live life to the fullest and has taken on challenges that most people would never consider.
In 1989 he received his first Hodgkin’s disease diagnosis as a high school senior. In 1995, during his third battle with the cancer, doctors ceased his chemotherapy treatment when they discovered it had weakened his heart. Two years later, Kyle learned he had secondary leukemia as a result of the chemo to treat the Hodgkin’s disease. After five years on the transplant waiting list, he received a new heart in 2006.
In 2007 he took on the challenge of attempting and finishing a triathlon, only 11 months after his heart surgery. But that wasn’t enough for him. In 2009 he took on and conquered the ultimate triathlon challenge – the Ironman World Championships in Kona. He crossed the finish line after swimming, biking, and running the grueling 140.6-mile course and became the first heart transplant recipient to achieve such an amazing accomplishment for anyone.
Kyle never gives up and is an inspiration to anyone who has faced major obstacles in their life. The will power to live is what Kyle is accustomed to and the will power to overcome other obstacles is what he has learned. Kyle will be participating in the half marathon.
Click here to read about our past Spirit of Joshua Award recipients.
Do you know someone who you think deserves the Spirit of Joshua Award?
You're encouraged to nominate a Tri-City Medical Center Carlsbad Marathon registrant whom you feel exhibits the kind of extraordinary courage, compassion, commitment and determination as you have read above. If your candidate is chosen, we would like to acknowledge that person at the finish line of the Carlsbad Marathon
How to nominate someone:
Check back here for the 2013 submission form.
