If there is one true running legend in the United States, it is Steve Prefontaine. Often overlooked in Europe, he inspired, and still inspires, enormous passion across the Atlantic, even decades after his tragic death. “Pre,” as he was known, wanted to be an artist of running. Here is the story of this American track and field icon.
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The early career of Steve Prefontaine
Steve Prefontaine was born on January 25, 1951, in Coos Bay, Oregon. Naturally suited to long-distance running and exceptionally hardworking, his story took a major turn when he joined the University of Oregon.
There, he met his coach, Bill Bowerman, who co-founded Blue Ribbon Sports in 1964, the company that would later become Nike, the world-famous swoosh brand. Bowerman was also one of the coaches who brought the concept of jogging over from New Zealand to help combat sedentary lifestyles and obesity.
Steve Prefontaine’s collegiate career included three NCAA cross-country titles, at a fiercely competitive level, and four NCAA titles over 3 miles and 5,000 metres.
Steve Prefontaine’s only tactic: put on a show
From his earliest college races, his running style left no one indifferent. Steve Prefontaine made a habit of taking the lead early and running alone at the front, rarely to be caught. His aggressive, all-out style and unshakeable determination earned the admiration of American crowds.
GO PRE vs. STOP PRE!
For him, “not giving everything you have is like betraying your talent.” His supporters would chant “Pre! Pre! Pre!” while wearing T-shirts printed with “LEGEND,” while fans from rival universities displayed “STOP PRE” signs. At just 19, he appeared on the cover of the legendary Sports Illustrated under the headline: “America’s Running Prodigy.” The legend was underway…
Steve Prefontaine qualifies for the Munich Olympics
In 1972, Steve Prefontaine won the 5,000m at the U.S. Olympic Trials in 13:22.8, setting a new American record in the process. The victory earned him a place at the Munich Olympic Games at only 21 years old. Steve was a serious medal contender…
Edge-of-your-seat drama at the Munich Olympics
In the Olympic 5,000m final, after 3 kilometres run at a modest pace, 8:20.2, Steve Prefontaine took responsibility and drove the race forward. The pace suddenly dropped from 68-69 seconds per lap to 62.5, 61.2, then 60.3.
With two laps remaining, Finland’s Lasse Viren, the 10,000m world record holder, moved into the lead. But Steve refused to give in and regained the front 200 metres later. The tension was at its peak. Lasse Viren took the lead again at the bell, and with 150m to go, Steve was still battling Viren and Mohammed Gammoudi for the title!
But Steve Prefontaine began to pay for his efforts at the start of the home straight. In the final 15 metres, Britain’s Ian Stewart pushed him out of the medals. Perhaps he paid the price for his boldness and lack of international experience, but for him, victory only mattered when it was won with style. Lasse Viren would go on to win the 10,000m in Munich as well, repeating the 5,000m-10,000m double four years later in Montreal.
The tragic end of Steve Prefontaine
Steve vowed to get his revenge at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, despite ongoing issues with the Amateur Athletic Union, the American governing body that still prohibited appearance fees. He spoke out against the system but remained focused on his goal. Then, in 1975, at the peak of his fitness, his fate took a tragic turn.
On May 30, 1975, Steve Prefontaine was killed in a car crash while driving his MGB convertible on Skyline Boulevard, not far from the University of Oregon campus. The Eugene Register-Guard ran the headline the day after his death: “The end of an era.”
At 24, “Pre” had already left an indelible mark on the history of American track and field through his style, courage, determination, fierce will to win, rebellious spirit and majestic stride. Thanks to him, many people took up running after jogging became popular in America.
Prefontaine: a 78% win rate!
Steve Prefontaine held every American record from 2,000m to 10,000m. During his career, he won 128 of the 153 races he entered, an extraordinary 78% winning percentage.
He ran for the Oregon Track Club, which became one of the most iconic clubs in the United States in part because of him. It is still common to see athletes wearing its singlet at major international track meets.
An international meet in Eugene also bears his name. Every year, the Prefontaine Track Classic draws the world’s best athletes as well as huge crowds.
Every year in early September, many fans take part in the Prefontaine Memorial Run. The race follows his training routes in Coos Bay and finishes on the track at his high school, where he competed in his first races. A memorial, The Pre’s Rock, also stands at the site where he died. Runners continue to pay tribute by leaving medals, race bibs and running shoes.
A true artist’s soul
Famous Steve Prefontaine quotes
More than a runner, Steve Prefontaine saw himself as an artist: “Some people create with words, music, or a brush and paint. When I run, I like it to look beautiful. I like to make people stop and say, ‘Wow, I’ve never seen anyone run like that before.’ For me, running is more than just running, it is a style. It is doing something better than anyone else. It is being creative.”
He also said: “A race is a work of art that can move people in as many ways as they are capable of understanding.”
Inspiration for films
Steve Prefontaine has inspired literature and film. Notable examples include “Prefontaine” (1997) and “Without Limits” (1998), which focuses more on Bowerman’s role as a coach and is part of our top 10 running films).
Prefontaine also spoke about the masochistic side of running: “A lot of people run a race to see who is the fastest. I run to see who has the most guts, who can punish himself into an exhausting pace, and then punish himself even more by going all the way.”
“Pre” became a running myth. He inspired, and continues to inspire, thousands of runners around the world.
Steve Prefontaine’s main personal bests
1500m: 3:38.1
Mile: 3:54.6
3000m: 7:42.6
5000m: 13:21.87
10,000m: 27:43.6
Photo credit: Tony Duffy/Allsport