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.