Kingston & District Sports Hall of Fame

Bob Tysen

Birth: February 23, 1956
Home Town: Washington, D.C.
Inducted as: Athlete
Inducted for: Cycling, Speed Skating,
Inducted in: 2008

Biography:

Bob came to competitive sport relatively late in life, distinguishing himself in long-distance speed skating and cycling events.

Six-time U.S. masters marathon speed skating champion, Bob never lost a marathon, winning 33 consecutive races. In 2003-04 Bob ended his career by winning the last six ice marathons of the year, over competitors of all ages. Many times a North American and U.S. marathon champion over 25 and 50 kilometres, Bob also set age-class records in 5,000- and 10,000-metre events.

As an inline competitor, Bob won the Ontario Cup title in 2002. The next year he was third overall in the Canada Cup.

Bob won the NORBA world mountain bike championship in 1987 and he was 1991 eastern Canada and Canadian masters champion in cyclocross. Bob represented Canada at a world mountain bike championship. He also raced bicycles on the road, setting a course record in a Race Across America qualifier, completing 530 miles in 28 hours. He held 24-hour cycling records in both Canada and the U.S., 436 miles.

A founding member and coach of the Kingston Striders Speed Skating Club, Bob also competed internationally in marathons and duathlons.