2024 Hall of Fame
Curtis Akard
Curtis Akard is an early member to the State of Franklin Track Club going back to the 1980’s during which he:
Participated in the SFTC King of the Road individual competition 1981 thru 1995 with highest final yearly standing of 6th (in 1992 & 1995).
President 1990
Outstanding Volunteer Award 1991
Publicity Coordinator 1986-1993
Knoxville Track Club Tri-Cities running correspondent 1989-1998.
SFTC Appreciation Award for 8 years as coordinator of trash pickup (TDOT Adopt-A-Highway Program) cleaning up a section of Highway 75.
SFTC Team Competition participant with Valley Striders Racing Team 1985-1995 Curtis has also been a mainstay on the roads for many years as he has 1,031 career road races from 07-04-1978 thru 12-01-2024 and placed in 80% of those races and his total milage as of 12-01-2024 is 87,197 miles. Some of his running achievements and involvements are:
4th Place Master Male in TN State Parks Grand Prix Running Tour 1990-91.
TN State Running Record Two Mile Age 67 (16:17 on 09-12-2015)
Chairman of Sullivan County School System Wellness Program 1986-1994
Certificate of Appreciation from Governor Ned McWherter in 1990 for Northeast TN Coordinator of TN Sports Fest I.
TN Sportfest 5K Road Race Northeast Region Overall Masters Male 1993.
1st Place TN Senior Olympics District 1 in the 800M & 1500M in 2005-2006 and 2008-2011
Ran 40.4 miles during the 24 hours of his 40th birthday on 04-24-88
Completed five marathons with a PR of 3:13: 1980 Knoxville Marathon; 1981, 1982 & 1983 Rocket City Marathon; and 1982 Marine Corps Marathon
Has run in 25 of Tennessee’s counties, 30 Southwest Virginia locations, 14 states and Washington DC.
Ran 1,000th road race 08-17-23 in Norton, VA at age 75.
Overall winner in 14 races from August 1986 - November 2021.
Curtis has also been active away from the roads and running as he:
Retired from Sullivan County School System with 31 years of service.
Currently serve as a Sullivan County Constable and also as a Sullivan County Sheriff's Office Reserve Deputy.
Curtis wishes to give thanks to all the race sponsors, directors, volunteers, runners and first responders who have made all the road races possible.