Pat Porter dead in plane crash

Very sad indeed. I had the chance to meet him on a few occasions. He was an invited athlete to a couple of local road races. He spent time with my college team and hung out with us for a few days, ate in the school cafeteria with us. I got to play tour guide for him, Curp and Bickford. He also did a 6:00/min per mile sightseeing tour around town with camera in hand.

I watched him destroy Ed Eyestone, Curp, Bickford, Coughlan and Jones in a slop fest at the national XC meet. It was an incredible sight. Porter took the lead in the first 200m, and proceeded to trounce everyone.

Very sad. While running in college I took a lot of inspiration from Pat's story of hard work and success. I also loved that he was such an XC runner.

I went to school with Jeff Drenth...those were some great US XC teams.Pat was at Jeff's funeral, and it's tough to think of both of them gone.

to all those posting memories - Thanks. Still shocked and saddened but reading your posts helps.

We'll miss "The Panther"

Bo Reed ...

Thanks for the kind shout out to me, but I do think that it is deservedly for everyone posting here (including yourself).

Just please keep not only Pat, his son, and the other young man in your thoughts and prayers, but also Pat's wife, daughter, and the family of Pat's son's friend.

A lot of people directly affected by this tragedy, and I think, a lot of us in the running community as well. Very sad end to such a unique and highly respected runner from the 1980's.

I dedicated a run that I did earlier this morning (as hard as my 43 y.o. body could push me) in his memory. Hard kick "just for Pat" at the end of it. Felt good.

God bless you for your reply and God bless everyone out there who has taken the time to either reply or read these posts on this thread.

Peace out everyone.

Stay strong ... kick hard on your next run "just for Pat". ;-D

-trollcrusher-

very sad, especially considering his 11 year old daughter will grow up without a father

i hope his wife and family can recover from his tragedy

My heart goes out to his family and friends. I ran agianst him at XC Nationals a couple of times. He was a fierce xc runner and I totally respected the fact that it was his forte. I also met him again and ran with him a couple a times when I lived in Boulder and we would talk about our NAIA days. RIP.

There was a black page for Pat Friday afternoon. I want to thank the Johnson’s and their employees for that tribute to Pat.

Also, thank you to all who have posted their memories and impressions. I knew Pat and did a morning run with him in Alamosa one morning, ggoing all out to keep up! A great memory now.

My hopes are his wife, daughter and extended family will find peace in their loss. I feel Pat, his son and his friend were taken too soon.

Pat Porter was, without a doubt, the greatest cross country runner in American history. His record of eight consecutive national titles, and his overall record in cross country will never be matched on the men's side.

I would describe myself as an acquaintance of Pat's more than a friend. I met him at about 15-20 races over the years. He always seemed to have time for everyone; not just sub-elites like myself, but midpack runners and especially kids.

He carried himself with a degree of humility; rarely seen in those days, or now for that matter. I NEVER heard anyone say anything untoward about him. He was a better person even, then he was a runner.

I hope that USATF and Nike would reinstate the cross-country nationals this fall, and do what is necessary to make it a meaningful competition in honor of Pat.

Pat was obviously an astute businessman; but as a runner HE NEVER CHASED MONEY!!! He ALWAYS chased the best competition he could find!!! He was a warrior; his name should be linked with Virgin, Shorter, Salazar, and Prefontaine.

Our thoughts and prayers should go out to his wife Trish, their daughter Shannon, and the family of Connor's friend whose son perished as well.

Pat, your legacy will never be forgotten. RIP.

Had met the Panther on several occasions, The Eikeden in NYC, the old TAC XC champs and a few odd road races. Best story was a post race party at a private house after the US Peace Race in Youngstown, OH. I walk into the kitchen looking for food and their is Pat standing in his Fruit O Looms, jeans around is knees showing off his panther tatoo on this hip to very swooning female in the place.

Rest In Peace, Panther. Thoughts and Prayers are with your family.

Perhaps Nike can honor Pat by creating The Panther XC flat, white with red and blue swoosh, with panther logo on the back heel tab. Every xc kid should learn about Pat and what XC is all about.

glycerinrunner wrote:

Had met the Panther on several occasions, The Eikeden in NYC, the old TAC XC champs and a few odd road races. Best story was a post race party at a private house after the US Peace Race in Youngstown, OH. I walk into the kitchen looking for food and their is Pat standing in his Fruit O Looms, jeans around is knees showing off his panther tatoo on this hip to very swooning female in the place.

Rest In Peace, Panther. Thoughts and Prayers are with your family.

Perhaps Nike can honor Pat by creating The Panther XC flat, white with red and blue swoosh, with panther logo on the back heel tab. Every xc kid should learn about Pat and what XC is all about.

Nike has made a lot of money off Prefontaine, so I'm sure they'd be happy to profit from Porter's death.

It took a long time for them to make money off of Pre. You know it's not like it was instantaneous.

And, some royalties helped out nicely with his parents in retirement.

Pre was also a Nike employee.

Other than that, your post disrespects the friends and family of two dead guys. I'm sure you're proud of that.