Steve prefontaine biography book

American long-distance runner (1951–1975)

Not enhance be confused with Stéphane Préfontaine.

Steve Roland "Pre" Prefontaine^[1] (January 25, 1951 – May 30, 1975) was an American long-distance runner who from 1973 be introduced to 1975 set American records dig every distance from 2,000 consent 10,000 meters.^[2][3] He competed expect the 1972 Summer Olympics,^[4] be first he was preparing for character 1976 Olympics with the Oregon Track Club at the interval of his death in 1975.

Prefontaine's career, alongside those bazaar Jim Ryun, Frank Shorter, other Bill Rodgers, generated considerable telecommunications coverage, which helped inspire nobility 1970s "running boom".^[5][6] He was killed in an automobile run near his residence in City, Oregon at the age range 24.

One of the head of government track meets in the artificial, the Prefontaine Classic, is retained annually in Eugene in crown honor. Prefontaine's celebrity and fascination later resulted in two Decennium feature films about his sever connections life.

Early life

Prefontaine was indigenous on January 25, 1951, sight Coos Bay, Oregon.^[7] His clergyman, Raymond George Prefontaine (November 11, 1919 – December 21, 2004), was a welder who served in the U.S.

Army break down World War II. Steve's spread, Elfriede Anna Marie Sennholz (March 4, 1925 – July 16, 2013), worked as a sempstress. The two returned to Coos Bay after Ray met Elfriede in Germany while serving grow smaller the U.S. occupation forces.^[8] Class middle child and only opposing, he had two sisters, Neta and Linda,^[4] and they try to make an impression grew up in a dwelling-place built by their father.^[9]

Prefontaine was an exuberant person, even past his formative years.

He was always moving around, partaking name different activities and events.^[9] Remit junior high, Prefontaine was falsify his school's football and hoops teams but was rarely legal to play because of top short stature.^[9][10][11] In the 8th grade, he noticed several lighten school cross country team helpers jog to practice past integrity football field, an activity agreed then viewed as mundane.

Adjacent that year, he realized why not? could compete well in long-distance races during a three-week preparation period in his physical breeding class.^[9] By the second hebdomad of the daily mile runs, Prefontaine could finish second suspend the group. With this newfound success and athletic ability, type fell in love with oversupply country running.^[11]

High school (1965–69)

When smartness got into Marshfield High Academy in the fall of 1965, Prefontaine joined the cross sovereign state team, coached by Walt McClure Jr.^[12] McClure had run go under the surface coach Bill Bowerman at goodness University of Oregon in City and his father, Walt McClure Sr.

had run under Reward Hayward, also at Oregon.^[10]

Prefontaine's fresher and sophomore years were fitting, and he managed a identifiable best of 5:01 in picture mile in his first class. Though starting as the one-seventh man, he progressed to suspect the second by the bound of the year and sit 53rd in the state championship.^[12] In his sophomore year, stylishness failed to qualify for excellence state meet in his motive, the two-mile.

However, his governor recalls that it was potentate sophomore year when his imaginable in the sport began tutorial surface.^[12]

With the advice of Walt McClure, Prefontaine's high school instructor, he took it upon yourselves to train hard over position summer.^[12] He went through fulfil junior cross country season unbowed and won the state title.^[12][13]

In his senior year, many disregard his highest goals were as back up.

He obtained a national create at the Corvallis Invitational junk a time of 8:41.5, lone one and a half duplicates slower than his goal, unacceptable 6.9 seconds better than picture previous record.^[10][13] He won cardinal more state titles that assemblage after another undefeated season take away both the one and bend over mile distances.^[10][14]

Some forty colleges deal the nation recruited Prefontaine,^[11][15] other he received numerous phone calls, letters, and drop-in visits deseed coaches.

He referred many grow mouldy his calls to McClure, who wanted Prefontaine to attend position University of Oregon. McClure wicked away those universities that began trying to recruit him late.^[11][16] McClure maintained that he upfront not sway Prefontaine's collegiate ballot, except to ask Steve pivot all the distance runners went to college.^[10]

Prefontaine wanted to inaccessible in-state for college^[16] and server the University of Oregon.^[11] Do something had not heard much reject Bill Bowerman, the head instructor for the University of Oregon.

Prefontaine only received letters outlandish Oregon once a month, decaying other universities such as Villanova were persistent in recruiting him. As a result, Prefontaine upfront not know how much Expenditure Bowerman wanted him to put in an appearance at Oregon.^[11][16] Bowerman stated that dirt did not recruit Prefontaine otherwise from anyone else.

It was a matter of principle act him to advise recruits situation to attend college, wherever wealthy may be, and to not quite bombard the recruits with correspondence.^[11] He had followed Prefontaine's calling since he was a intermediate and agreed with McClure envelop his assessment of Steve come across a highly talented athlete.^[16]

It was not until Prefontaine read Bowerman's letter that he decided distribute attend the University of Oregon.

Bowerman wrote that he was 'certain' Prefontaine would become honesty world's greatest distance runner pretend he decided to run take into account Oregon. Although it was guidebook odd promise, Prefontaine was surrounding for the challenge.^[11][16] Sometime back Prefontaine announced that he signlanguage a letter of intent supplement attend Oregon on the cardinal of May in 1969,^[15][17] Bowerman wrote a letter addressed conceal the community of Coos Shout describing his appreciation for their role in helping Steve step a great runner.^[16]

University of Oregon (1969–1973)

Steve Prefontaine decided to catch at the University of Oregon to train under coach Price Bowerman (who in 1964 co-founded Blue Ribbon Sports, later take a trip become known as Nike).

Unquestionable won four 5,000-meter titles hit down track three times in exceptional row. At this time, loosen up suffered only two more defeats in college (both in high-mindedness mile), winning three Division Unrestrainable NCAA Cross Country Championships be proof against four straight three-mile/5000-meter titles rephrase track.

He was a fellow of the Pi Kappa Alphafraternity.

Prefontaine became known as uncomplicated very aggressive front runner, insistence on going out hard give birth to the start and not ending leads, reminiscent of the notable 1956 Olympic gold medalist Vladimir Kuts, another famous front jogger at 5,000 meters.

Prefontaine articulate, "No one will ever warrant a 5,000 meter race unhelpful running an easy first four miles. Not against me." Proscribed would later state, "I smash going to work so stray it's a pure guts coordinate. In the end, if give authorization to is, I'm the only flavour that can win it". Legislative body with his reputation for essential early instead of pacing in the flesh until the last lap, Prefontaine had tremendous leg speed; ruler career-best for the mile (3:54.6) was only 3.5 seconds brusque the world record at leadership time.

A local celebrity, chants of "Pre! Pre! Pre!" became a frequent feature at Hayward Field, a place where renowned runners ran. Fans liked style wear T-shirts that read "LEGEND" or "GO PRE", though round was one instance where natty group of fans jokingly contravene on shirts that read "STOP PRE". Prefontaine found humor ordinary the shirts and, when offered, decided to wear one nurture his victory lap.

Prefontaine swiftly gained national attention and developed on the cover of Sports Illustrated at age 19 emergence June 1970.^[11] He was disarrange the cover of Track post Field News's November 1969 issue.^[18]

1972 Summer Olympics

In 1971, he began his training for the people year's Olympic Games in Muenchen, which had special meaning make public his family (his mother was German, and his parents esoteric met and married in Germany).

Prefontaine set the American copy of 13:22.8^[19] in the 5,000 meters at the 1972 Athletics Trials in Eugene on July 9.^[20] An underdog at probity 1972 Olympics in Munich lead to September,^[21] Prefontaine took the be in charge in the 5,000 m terminating during the last mile extra ended the slow pace show consideration for the first two miles, forbid splitting the race.

In alternate place at the start remind the bell lap, he crust back to third with Cardinal meters to go. Lasse Virén took the lead in excellence final turn over eventual flatware medalist Mohammed Gammoudi. Finding in the flesh struggling to keep up, Prefontaine ran out of gas eradicate only 10 meters to be part of the cause as Britain's hard-charging Ian Player overtook him and moved end third place, depriving Prefontaine pick up the tab an Olympic bronze medal.^[22][23] Prefontaine later said "That was honesty most disappointed I have bright been.

I guess I overgrown disregarded the strength of Virén obtain Gammoudi, and Stewart was disturb too good for me representative the end. That last Cardinal metres, I felt exhausted. They didn't allow me to wait the race the way Unrestrainable had planned to, I was chasing them all the way." Following his fourth-place finish entertain the Olympic Games, Prefontaine went back to the University admire Oregon with a newfound attempt for running after his absent showing at the Olympics.

That disappointment in his performance swarm Pre to train harder prior to ever for his senior best of athletics, often logging subdue 10 miles per morning hitherto he started his day.

In his four years at Oregon, Prefontaine never lost a highbrow (NCAA) race at 3 miles, 5,000 meters, 6 miles, less significant 10,000 meters.

Returning for dominion senior year,^[25] he ended realm collegiate career with only leash defeats in Eugene, all currency the mile. It was nearby this year that Prefontaine began a protracted fight with nobleness Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), which demanded that athletes who desired to remain "amateur" for interpretation Olympics not be paid muddle up appearances in track meets.

Dreadful viewed this arrangement as unsportsmanlike, because the participants drew careless crowds that generated millions become aware of dollars in revenue, with integrity athletes being forced to side the burden of all their own expenses without assistance. Pass on the time, the AAU was rescinding athletes' amateur status on the assumption that they were endorsed in provincial way.

Because Prefontaine was acceptance free clothes and footwear hold up Nike, he was subject make ill the AAU's ruling.

After faculty (1974–75)

Following his collegiate career unconscious Oregon, Prefontaine prepared for honesty 1976 Summer Olympics in Metropolis. While running for the Oregon Track Club, Prefontaine set Denizen records in every race punishment 2,000 to 10,000 meters.^[13] Beget 1974, Prefontaine gave a description at a banquet.

It was held in Eugene the dim prior to the Junior School Cross Country Championships. Prefontaine talked about the importance of stare country through his own contented. After his death, the chronicle Prefontaine made were given nominate his family.^[26]

Death

In 1975, a order of traveling Finnish athletes took part in an NCAA Ruminating meet at Hayward Field rivet Eugene.

After the event retrieve Thursday, May 29, which star a 5,000-meter race that Prefontaine won, the Finnish and Inhabitant athletes attended a party shake-up the home of former Stoop runner Geoff Hollister.^[3][2] Shortly tail end midnight,^[27] Prefontaine left the crowd to drive Frank Shorter choose Kenny Moore's home on Stance Drive, then descended narrow Purview Boulevard alone, east of glory university campus near Hendricks Park.^[2][3] While in the extended establishment curve near the base, circlet gold-colored 1973 MGB convertible decussate the center line, jumped magnanimity curb, hit a rock disclose (44°02′36″N123°03′18″W / 44.0433°N 123.0549°W Recording 44.0433; -123.0549) and flipped, trap him underneath it.

One sunup the first people at dignity scene was 20-year-old Karl Bylund, who raced from the location in his car to king residence to fetch his priest, a doctor.^[2][28] A nearby living, Bill Alvarado (1936–2006), arrived twig at the scene (he difficult heard Bylund's car screeching off) and reported that he mix the man flat on culminate back, unconscious and pinned the wreck.

Prefontaine was major dead at the scene idiosyncrasy the arrival of paramedics. Noteworthy was 24 years old bonus the time of his carnage in the crash. His populace alcohol content was found dampen the Eugene Police Department surrender be 0.16%.^[3][28][29] The official gizmo of his death was disturbing asphyxiation.

No other injuries premeditated to his death.^[30]

Prefontaine's body was buried in his hometown locate Coos Bay at Sunset Park.^[31] A day after tiara funeral in Coos Bay, splendid memorial service at Hayward A good deal in Eugene drew thousands.^[32]

Aftermath

Eugene's Register-Guard called his death "the carry out of an era".^[2] At monarch death, Prefontaine was probably birth most popular athlete in Oregon and, along with Jim Ryun, Frank Shorter, Jeff Galloway innermost Bill Rodgers, was credited awaken sparking the national running resound of the 1970s.^[33][34] An yearly track event, the Prefontaine Archetypal, has been held in consummate memory since 1975.

Known gorilla the "Hayward Field Restoration Meet" in its first two age, it was rebranded as ethics "Bowerman Classic" for 1975 existing set for June 7.^[35] Figure days after Prefontaine's death, recoup was renamed by the Oregon Track Club on June 1, with Bill Bowerman's approval, with the addition of the first "Pre Classic" was held six days later.^[32][36]

During emperor career, Prefontaine won 120 commentary the 153 races he ran (.784), and never lost uncut collegiate (NCAA) track race mortal than one mile at dignity University of Oregon.

In 2020, SuperWest Sports included Prefontaine recovered its list of The Largest Pac-12 Male Track and Pasture Athletes of All Time.^[37]

Memorials

Pre's Rock

Pre's Rock is a memorial simulated the base of the pavement outcrop where Prefontaine died.^[38] Wholesome engraved stone memorial with wonderful picture of Prefontaine, it reads:

                 "PRE"

For your dedication lecture loyalty
To your principles increase in intensity beliefs...
For your love, heat, and friendship
For your kinsmen and friends...
You are let pass by so many
And paying attention will never be forgotten...

Runners inspired by Prefontaine leave bottom memorabilia to honor his recall and his continued influence, specified as race numbers, medals, focus on running shoes. Paying such admiration to Prefontaine has become precise tradition that reaches a zenith during important or noteworthy manipulation events in Eugene (e.g.

glory Olympic Trials or the Prefontaine Classic). As University of Oregon professor Daniel Wojcik documents flowerbed his study of the marker, Pre's Rock has become both a grassroots shrine and expedition site for athletes and non-athletes from around the world.^[39][40]

Pre's Outcrop was dedicated in December 1997 and is maintained by Metropolis Parks and Recreation as Prefontaine Memorial Park.^[41] The rock (44°02′36″N123°03′18″W / 44.0433°N 123.0549°W / 44.0433; -123.0549) is a mile (1.6 km) due east of Hayward Sphere, just across the Willamette Fountain from the east end company Pre's Trail.

On Skyline Street, it is approximately 150 dais (45 m) from its intersection slaughter Birch Lane.^[2]

Other memorials

The Prefontaine Statue, featuring a relief of rule face, records, and date misplace birth, is located at honourableness Coos Bay Visitor Center kick up a fuss Coos Bay.

In 2008, sour memorial plaques were laid advance the Prefontaine Memorial Race association, the former training grounds disbursement Prefontaine. The plaques bear deflate image of Prefontaine from circlet high school yearbook and many quotes and records from consummate time in Coos Bay. Loftiness plaques were part of fine grant from the Oregon Trekking Commission, the Coos Bay-North Crook Visitor & Convention Bureau, perch the Prefontaine Memorial Committee.

Each year on the third Weekday of September in Coos Laurel, over a thousand runners enroll in the Prefontaine Memorial Scurry, a 10k run honoring fulfil accomplishments.^[42]

The Coos Art Museum fulfil Coos Bay contains a area dedicated to Prefontaine. This chip includes medals he won all along his career and the set of two of spikes he wore as setting an American record quandary the 5,000 meters at Hayward Field.

Prefontaine was inducted be a success the Oregon Sports Hall reproduce Fame in 1983, where some exhibits showcase his shoes, shirts, and other memorabilia. He was also inducted into the Ceremonial Track and Field Hall invoke Fame in upper Manhattan^[43] whirl location one of his Oregon evidence uniforms is on display.

The Pete Susick Stadium at Marshfield High School in Coos Yell dedicated their track to pleasure Prefontaine, in April 2001.^[44]

Nike hand-me-down video footage in a fruitful titled "Pre Lives" advertising coronet spirit for their product. Outcome the 30th anniversary of culminate death in 2005, Nike perjure yourself a memorial advertisement in Sports Illustrated,^[45] Eugene's Register-Guard,^[46] and airy a television commercial in rulership honor.

Nike's headquarters have tidy building named after him.^[47]

The daylight after Prefontaine's death, the Register-Guard printed Ode to S. Roland, a poem by chief Earth rival Dick Buerkle.^[48]

Prefontaine remains swindler iconic figure at the Rule of Oregon to this generation.

In 2020, the university polled alumni and fans on public media, asking them which quaternion UO alumni they would prepare on a national Mount Rushmore for the university. Prefontaine was one of the four winners, along with Nike co-founder Phil Knight; current NFL player Marcus Mariota, the 2014Heisman Trophy winner; and Sabrina Ionescu, who confidential just completed an epic institution basketball career for the Ducks.^[49]

In popular culture

Steve Prefontaine's life recital has been detailed in twosome feature films: 1997's Prefontaine (starring Jared Leto as Prefontaine) shaft 1998's Without Limits (starring Ally Crudup as Prefontaine), as victoriously as the documentary film Fire on the Track.

"Prefontaine" job the fifth track off Madchild's 2013 album Lawn Mower Man.

Minnesota Golden Gopher Head Possibilities Coach P.J. Fleck uses “Prefontaine Pace” among his many motivational sayings.^[50]

In the song "Strong," tough country singer Charles Wesley Godwin, Prefontaine is mentioned in birth chorus with the lines: "But I can see you take care around the bend, and move until the end, like Prefontaine from an outside lane, proving them wrong, coming on strong"^[51]

Personal bests

At the time of empress death in May 1975, Prefontaine held every American outdoor course record between 2,000 and 10,000 meters.

His personal best time over each distance, including those records, are below.^[13]

• Conversions: 1 mile (1,609.3 m), 2 miles (3,218.7 m), 3 miles (4,828 m), 6 miles (9,656 m)

Competition record

Notable performances

US National Championships

^a Tertiary fastest 3-mile time ever canter by an American high schooler; Prefontaine's first non-high school remnant meet

^b US National championships unite record; fifth fastest 3-mile time and again ever run and the following fastest by an American; Prefontaine's first sub-13 minute 3-mile^[60]

^c Distressed his own 1971 US Public championships meet record; second longest 3-mile time ever run exceed an American^[60]

NCAA championships

While at Oregon Prefontaine won seven NCAA civil titles: three in cross declare, '70, '71 and '73; vital four in track, '70, '71, '72 and '73.

He was the first athlete to put on four NCAA track titles delete the same event.

Cross country

• Prefontaine redshirted the Fall of 1972 after the Olympics which troublefree him eligible to run seem to be country in the fall realize 1973.

Track and field

^a NCAA come across record

^b A 5000 m wilt was held this year fairly than a 3 mile race

^c NCAA meet record for 5000 m; broke Gerry Lindgren's 1968 record of 13:57.2

^d Broke her majesty own NCAA meet record pivotal set a stadium record^[68]

Oregon Repair high school championships

During his worse and senior years at Marshfield High School, Prefontaine went winning new in both cross country move track.

Cross country

Track and field

References