Pat Porter

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full namePatrick Ralph "Pat"•Porter
Used namePat•Porter
Born31 May 1959 in Wadena, Minnesota (USA)
Died27 July 2012 in Sedona, Arizona (USA)
Measurements183 cm / 60 kg
AffiliationsAthletics West, Eugene (USA)
NOC United States

Biography

Pat Porter ran in two Olympic Games in the 10,000 metres but his best event was no longer on the Olympic program. Porter is possibly America’s greatest ever cross-country runner, winning the US Championship in cross-country eight times, and representing the United States at the International Cross-Country Championship a like number of times, where he had five top 10s, with a best finish of fourth in 1984. His best international track performance was a second in the 10K at the 1985 World Cup.

He was married to Trish King, a 1988 Olympic high jumper. Porter worked as a salesman for Centex Homes. Pat Porter was inducted into the Adams State University Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Hall of Fame in 2012. He died fairly young in a plane crash.

Personal Bests: 2 miles – 8:43.2i (1983); 5000 – 13:34.98 (1985); 10000 – 27:46.80 (1988).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1984 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Pat Porter
10,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 15
1988 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Pat Porter
10,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 11 h2 r1/2

Olympic family relations

Special Notes