Pat Porter dead in plane crash

I am surprised he had an airplane. I remember reading RW article about 10 years ago that he was working as a construction worker. I recall he didn't seem to be doing great financially.

He was good as US had to give back then. RIP

They didn't come any harder than Pat Porter on a cross country course, and an American distance legend has passed. The what-if back in the day--everyone wondered what he could do in a marathon with his 120 mile weeks but he was never interested. The man personified the essence of true grit in running--he will be greatly missed.

Never knew him, but I admire what he did.

=====================================

Thanks for posting the image:

http://www.juanjosemartinez.com.mx/new%20images/10mil_porter.jpg

Back when shorts were short.

asu guy wrote:

I hope that Joe Vigil is ok, he loved Pat like a son.

Just met Joe Vigil today ( he was giving a lecture..) very nice guy. Later, turned on the news, saw the report about the plane crash and Pat Porter. Then come on here and read this thread---read the SI article provided by one of the poster (thx, btw ) and read that Pat was coached by Coach Vigil. I'm just a hobby jogger...but wow. I am humbled by this...very sad.

Pat Porter's son perished also today.

Sounds like son and daughter as airport manager states 2 children on board. Very sad, indeed.

xc tuna wrote:

I am surprised he had an airplane. I remember reading RW article about 10 years ago that he was working as a construction worker. I recall he didn't seem to be doing great financially.

he did very well in real estate in NM. Did so well, he retired young...got out before the real estate bubble burst.

He was always about adventure. Planes, motorcycles (always Harleys), that kind of thing. Kind of a maverick personality. Maverick turned family man. Beautiful family. Honestly, he's the kind of guy that it almost fits for him to go out in something like a plane crash, if it wasn't for the family. Heartbreaking. The bigger tragedy...his teenage son and his son's friend were on the plane with him.

son and son's friend

In running, others sought the biggest money. Pat sought the biggest challenge.

Someone once remarked that Pat looked like the guy on the top of the running trophy. He had a beautiful long stride, and he ran like a thoroughbred, hard from the gun.

I found him nothing but friendly and gracious.

Heartbreaking.

very sad news. RIP

Misfit wrote:

In 1984 just before the Olympics, the world's cross country championship took place right here in New Jersey at the Meadowlands (I think this was the first time in years that the Kenyans entered as well with a full time and Kep Keino was their coach) and Porter lead practically all the way until the final 2 kilometers and Carlos Lopez from Portugal won (then went on to win the Olympics Marathon at LA-he was 37 years old) Porter came in 4th but he was just great. Jones came in third, I dont remember who came in second..

At LA 84 marathon olympics come in second John Treacy from Ireland that was also a 2 time world cross country winner.

Very shocked to learn about Pat Porter's sudden death.

I remember back during the summer of 1986, as a 17 y.o. long distance runner, Pat being a mentor to a bunch of long distance runners during a week long camp / workshop held at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

We were in AWE of him. Totally.

I remember asking to see his tattoo, of which, he cheekily showed us on his upper thigh / bum region. I think that it depicted a panther clawing at his skin.

Anyway, I shall always remember him and his kindness towards us as kids. Funny thing is, is that as part of the camp, they had a belly flop contest at the University with the prize being one of Pat's running t-shirts. Fellow runners devised the most extreme diving / flopping methods by which to obtain it and Pat had the final say in who was worthy of it.

I remember guys going off the high dive full out with their backs arched and grabbing their ankles behind them to better create more surface area in which to make a larger splash and we on the sidelines (including Pat) just cringing at how much pain that those impacts must have been on those kid's bare skin. What a hoot.

But by and by, the campers went all out for it and one kid walked away with Pat's t-shirt (which I think that he signed).

God bless you Pat.

Peace and prayers going out to the Porter family.

Take care,

trollcrusher

;-)

Totally agree with you on your summary of Pat Porter.

Very cool guy.

And you are correct ... he DID look like the iconic runner on top of most running trophies. :D

God bless him and his family.

Thanks for the memories Pat.

Peace,

trollcrusher

I saw this THEN I went out and hammered 8 tough miles in stifling humidity. I think at one point I saw God. RIP Pat Porter. You were one tough motherf***er.

That guy was awesome. Such an inspiration to all of us XC kids, to us guys not of the Seb Coe track speed type, but the strength based XC runners.

He should get mentioned more with the names of Shorter, Rodgers, Salazar, & Prefontaine.

Just a god D@mn shame.

Man this is sad news. I'm yet another one who looked up to him in High School. The man was great.

runn wrote:

I saw this THEN I went out and hammered 8 tough miles in stifling humidity. I think at one point I saw God. RIP Pat Porter. You were one tough motherf***er.

POD

RIP Pat. I remember seeing him run at my first usatf xc championships in 1994 (I was in the junior race). It was after his string had ended, but he attacked the race like no other. He was my idol growing up and an icon for all of us who grew up running in the 80s and 90s.

He will be missed.

I was at the Meadowlands in 1984 to see the World XC. Pat was as good as the best.

This morning at cross country, I told the kids about him before our workout.