RIP Van Townsend: Share Your Respects Here

I hadn't seen that article, but it was brilliant. It is very difficult to write well in the tradition of Hunter S. Thompson, that is, with personality, craziness, putting yourself in the story, and telling the untold or lesser known. Most people who try fail miserably and overwrite. Brilliant work. RIP Van Townsend.

Van was the Man...

An infectious soul of smiling determination, grit, and encouragement, his running advice came, not from his infinite knowledge about all things "running", but rather, from his heart, from his intuitive sense of who you were, of how you ran, of what made your body move, and what would motivate your own self to push those barriers just that slightest bit more...massaging time and assuaging pain, his track workouts ALWAYS brought out the best of any and everyone that allowed Van the opportunity, not to coach, but to teach them...and listen to his smile...

And Van, thanks for letting a trail runner get mud on your track!

Van was the first running nerd I ever met (a very rare occurrence in rural TN in 1997). He took a keen interest in my training and development as a runner throughout high school and was an endless source of information on college programs and coaches. These are things I would have appreciated from any coach, but what made Van special was that I lived over an hour away from Suffer-Jet City and only crossed paths a few times a year when he would seek me out at meets.

I remember hearing that he had resigned at Baylor a few years ago after getting his diagnosis, then I ran into him only a couple months later coaching at Arcadia. Couldn't keep him away from the track.

I was on the 1986 St. Mark's team, which was Van's first year coaching varsity cross country. Van was an absolutely fantastic guy. Take the sense of humor of a brilliant, snarky track message board troll, coming from a prep school English teacher and dynasty-building high school running coach. Then wrap those traits around a heart of gold- someone who is friends with everyone in the running scene, even if he's only met you once.

Weldon and Robert, you may not be aware of this connection, but when I was at St. Mark's, Nathan Taylor was the Milton Academy coach, which was one of our big rivalries in the conference- always the last dual cross-country meet of the season. So he and Van would face off as friendly rival coaches in the ISL.

It's nice to see that in these responses there are no mention of Van's times. With him, the only time that really mattered was a good time. We were teammates on the BAA and after about a 10 year period of being out of touch, we picked up right where we left off at the Jacksonville Marathon around 1995.

Thanks for making it ok for being a fan of the sport.

2pm Harvard Track. Run for Van. I'm old and slow, but I'll be there. Hope you can join me.

I had heard Van's name in discussion several times before I had even competed in my first official high school track race. I didn't compete for his team, but a public school down the road. While he never coached me directly (although he did proctor a few workouts for me), his effect on my running is very evident.

Van was always a storyteller. His prose was so deft and he himself so charismatic, that it was nearly impossible not to listen to what he had to say.

A few years ago, Van had informed me that he had recently had dinner with a very well-known coach (who I will leave anonymous here). A couple of weeks later, I was going to be competing in a track meet that the unnamed coach would be attending with his team. I figured Van was exaggerating. How could he know such a high-profile coach? The day of the meet arrived and I ran into Van exhibiting his usual behavior; James Dean'ing it on the railing, cheering the entire sport of running on. As I walked up to speak with him, I noticed he was wearing the unnamed team's gear. In my mind, I was honestly kind of embarrassed for him. He asked me what I was racing, wished me good luck and I headed off to warm up. During the entire race I could distinguish Van's voice best from a slew of others cheering me and the other runners in the race on. It meant a lot to me that it mattered to him how I performed. I ended up setting a PR and having a great race. After the race, Van hunted me down and we discussed how the race went and what I should focus on to improve throughout the rest of the season. About five minutes into the conversation I hear "Hey Van, we're headed to dinner. You coming?" come from behind where Van and I were standing. I turned around and it was none other than the aforementioned, (anonymous) super well-known coach with some of his stud athletes in tow. Van congratulated me on a job well done, wished me luck on the rest of the season and bid me adieu.

Needless to say, I never doubted Van again.

I first met Van when I was a freshman at Baylor. I wasn't from Chattanooga, and he took me in and immediately made me feel like I was an important part of the BXC family, even though I had to walk several times during my first race.

The lessons he imparted on us were endless, but more than anything he thought me to love running not for the times and pr's, but for the process. I'm certain that a larger percentage of my high school teammates still run vs my college teammates.

Van's credentials as a coach clearly speak for them self. I'd be interested to see someone compile a list of all the team and individual state champions he's coached (not to mention the hundreds of other runners he has taken under his wing). But what Van was a true master of was the mental side of running. Regardless of your talent or pr's Van made you feel like you were important and a vital part of the teams success. And this wasn't lip-service; he genuinely cared about the 20min 5k guys and celebrated their successes just as much as he did his studs. He was as passionate about running as one could be, and that passion was infectious for all who knew him.

We've lost one of the great ones, but im greatful to read and hear that he had rhe opportunity to touch so many other people. Our fearless leader will be missed! RIPVT

Boys team titles:

2008 (with Matthews and lord going 1-2)

2007

2000

1999

I counted four runner-up finishes also.

I have read the posts and the rememberances here, contributions on-line from writers like Jeff, accounts in local papers, and the outpouring from the greater running community. As a friend of Van's for more than 30 years, what strikes me most is the quality of the men and women who have written about the impact that Van has had in their lives. The direct and lasting impact of Van's life is how it has shaped the character of these runners. These remarkable people are his legacy. There is no better legacy or living testament to a life well lived. For Van, this direct impact was his greatest reward. The influence Van had and continues to have on these men and women with his grace, wisdom, and humor will be he his enduring legacy.

Right now runners in Chattanooga are running the Baylor cross country course in his honor. Cyclists are riding Van's favorite course up Suck Creek on the side of Walden's Ridge. And in a little while we all will meet for a memorial and celebration in his honor.

Van, my friend, you will be missed but never forgotten.

I plan on stopping by Harvard's track on my run today.

The only thing I can say about Van Townsend is that the guy made such a big positive impact on my life I named my son after him.

Even this nobody runner from LI met and ran with Van. A funny, wonderful person who loved running with every fiber in his body.

My condolences to his 3 kids, I hope they find comfort with all the nice responses about their dad from this dysfunctional board.

RIP Van, RIP.

I understand the love for what is it is.....sometimes runner passion can't be explained

I never heard of van before today but wish I had. I've been throwing around relocating to Chattanooga for the past year or so, and this just reminds me how so many times some of the best things in life are chance encounters and crossed paths. RIP van and to the poster who mentioned being remembered for always smiling and your passion is the way to go out, i couldn't agree more.

I knew Van through my years of high school championship events. His passion and smile left a lasting impression. Had not spoken with him in several months, but knew of his battle. Van won the fight for life via the many he touched and influenced. Thanks for memories.

Bumping a worthy thread. Keep them coming.