Olympic winner Shorter joins Terre Haute run

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Olympic gold medalist Frank Shorter took the lead in a community 5K run as part of the festivities surrounding the NCAA Division I Cross Country championships in Terre Haute.

Shorter won the 1972 Olympic marathon, helping spur interest in distance running across the country. The 64-year-old talked with the crowd, signing pictures and books and posing for picture before Sunday's run started near Indiana State University's football stadium.

Shorter urged the runners to take an easy-enough pace that everyone could continue talking as they went.

Terre Haute visitors bureau director Dave Patterson tells the Tribune-Star that Shorter's participation helps build interest in Monday's NCAA races and lets the athletes learn about his experiences.