Steve Prefontaine

Famous American Distance Runner

Born

January 25, 1951

Coos Bay, Oregon

Began running in Marshfield High School

In his Junior and Senior Year, he won every race he entered.

He even set the National High School two mile record.

After high school, he attended the University of Organ.

He continued his winning and set several additional National Records.

With Coach Bowerman guiding him, he continued winning and improving.

He loved being the front runner.

In the 1972 Munich Olympics, he predicted he would win the 5000-meter race in World record time,

He took a massive lead after 3200 meters but was unable to hold the lead and finished a disappointing fourth.

In 1975 he organized a series of races in the US that included the top American runners and some Finnish runner.

He was the first person to sign with Nike.

The last race of the series was in Eugene, Oregon on Memorial Day, May 30, 1975.

Many of the famous athletes attended a party celebrating the successful season.

 Afterwards he drove Frank Shorter off at a friend's house.

He continued driving on Skyline Boulevard and lost control of his car.

It crashed into a rock and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The rock is now named Pre's Rock.

 

Steve Prefontaine is buried in Coos Bay, Oregon.

He is still celebrated in Coos Bay.