Frank Shorter, who won a gold medal in the marathon in the 1972 Munich Olympics, is the celebrity runner at Sunday's Dexter-Ann Arbor Run.

Photo courtesy of Greg Sadler

Maggie Sadler and her friend Erika Blankenship giggled and smiled, star struck in front of one of their all-time idols, Frank Shorter.

A gold medalist in the marathon at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Shorter spent time at Running Fit in Ann Arbor on Friday as part of his role as the celebrity runner for Sunday’s 38th annual Dexter-Ann Arbor Run.

He signed autographs for Blankenship, a 20-year-old Michigan student, and Sadler, a 17-year-old South Lyon resident who is a “big running in the ‘70s fan.”

From the looks on their faces, you’d never guess Shorter’s competitive prime was decades before they were born.

“Even though some kids don’t really know who Frank Shorter is, he’s big in the running community," said Sadler, who had Shorter sign her copy of Running with the Buffaloes. "That’s like the greatest thing ever. It’s so amazing.”

Also at the Jackson Road store was 70-year-old Phil Kroll, who was in search of an autograph for a photo of he and Shorter together at the 2002 Burns Park Run.

The difference in the ages of Shorter’s fans is a sign of his cross-generational popularity in the running community.

Maggie Sadler, left, and Erika Blankenship were thrilled to meet Frank Shorter, one of their all-time favorite runners.

Photo courtesy of Greg Sadler

“I think there’s an incredible amount excitement about the race this year because of Frank Shorter’s presence,” said Ann Arbor Track Club president Mitch Garner, who estimates between 8,500 and 9,000 runners will participate in Sunday's 5-kilometer, 10K and half marathon races.

Garner and Shorter, 63, were students together at Yale and have remained friends over the years. Garner still remembers welling up with tears of pride watching Shorter cross the marathon finish line in Munich. When he made a call to his old friend, Garner said Shorter was more than happy to oblige.

“The fun (of such is events) is getting to talk to all the people,” said Shorter, who is often cited as one of the father’s of the American running boom. “Runners are fun. They want to know how to train efficiently and they want some advice on how they can compete better and they certainly want to talk about their injuries.”

Shorter -- a 24-time marathon national champion -- will run in Sunday's 10K race, which will serve as the United States Track and Field Association's national championship for the masters division.

The Road Runners Club of America has designated the half-marathon to be its Michigan state championship.

After having his hip resurfaced more than a year ago after a biking injury, Shorter says he’ll gladly watch the best runners pass him by.

“I have two goals. One is to not look as old as I am. And the second one is to slow down as slowly as possible,” Shorter joked. “I never was a jealous athlete. I think good athletes appreciate other good athletes. I’ll watch the competitors in the masters division and be in awe.”

The festivities start with a kids' fun run and race expo from noon to 6 p.m. at Pioneer High School on Saturday.

Online registration for all races is available until 8 p.m. tonight. In-person registration also is available on Sunday.

Dexter-Ann Arbor Run schedule

SATURDAY
Noon to 6 p.m.: Race expo at Pioneer High School.
4 p.m.: Kids run at Pioneer High School.

SUNDAY
8 a.m.: 10K run starts at Kingsley-North Main in Ann Arbor.
8:30 a.m.: Half-marathon starts at Creekside Intermediate School in Dexter.
9 a.m.: 5K run and walk starts at Forsythe Middle School in Ann Arbor.
9:45 a.m.: Awards ceremonies near finish line.
11 a.m.: Taste of Ann Arbor on Main Street in Ann Arbor.

Pete Cunningham covers sports for AnnArbor.com he can be reached at petercunningham@annarbor.com or by phone at 734-623-2561. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.