The Manchester Road Race Committee will sponsor a speech by Olympic Marathon Champion Frank Shorter on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 7 p.m. at Manchester Community College’s SBM Auditorium.

Shorter, an All-American long distance runner at Yale University, won the marathon at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. Four years later, he captured the silver medal in the marathon at the Montreal Olympics.

Shorter, who is widely credited with helping to spark the “running explosion” that has occurred in the United States during the past three decades, is the honorary chairperson of the 71st Manchester Road Race. He is also expected to compete in the annual Thanksgiving Day event.

According to Tris Carta, president of the Manchester Road Race Committee, Shorter will speak about running and his legendary athletic career. Shorter, who holds a law degree from the University of Florida, served as the first chairman of the United States Anti-Doping Agency, and has worked as a sports commentator for several national television networks. He is currently self-employed as a motivational speaker and author. His most recent book, “Frank Shorter’s Running For Peak Performance, was published in 2005.

Admission to the speech is free. Due to limited seating, requests must be limited to two tickets. Tickets may be obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Leo V. Diana at 1091 Main Street, Manchester, CT 06040.

The 71st Manchester Road Race will be held on November 22, 2007 at 10 a.m. It starts and finishes on Main Street in Manchester, in front of St. James Church. Further information about the race, and Frank Shorter’s appearance here, is available at manchesterroadrace.com.

For further information, please contact Tris Carta at (860) 646-2251