Bob Townsend has been an SFTC member for over 30 years and has consistently been one of the Club’s top runners. He has held many TN State Running Records over the years and currently holds age-group records for the 3K (age 52), 8 Mile (age 67), and 10 Mile (age 67) distances. In 1989 and 1996 the Club recognized him as the Comeback Runner of the Year and in 1990 as the Most Persistent Runner.

Bob’s first leadership position in the Club came in 1993 when he was elected as the Johnson City Representative. He served in that role until 1997. In 1999 he was named as the Club’s Nominating Coordinator, and has held that position ever since. He was elected and served as Club President in 2002. Currently, he is the Volunteer Coordinator and has served in that position since 2010. Since 2003, Bob has been the Club’s Outstanding Volunteer 5 times and the runner up 7 times.

He has been the race director for several of the SFTC-owned races including War Party 10K (for 15 years), Pioneer 5 Miler, New Year’s Day Wake Up 5K, and the Duck Island Mile Series (Spring, Summer & Fall). He was among the first race directors in the area to have performance polyester T-shirt (2010 War Party 10K).

Bob’s commitment to the running community extends beyond SFTC. For the past 25+ years he has been very active, both as a participant and Board member, in the Tennessee Running Tour (formerly known as the Tennessee State Parks Running Tour). He has consistently placed in the top of his age group and was the Senior Grandmaster men’s winner in the 2010-2011 season.

One of the highlights of his running career was being selected as an Olympic torchbearer for the Salt Lake 2002 Olympics Torch Relay. He carried the torch on December 5, 2001 in Asheville, NC