Elfriede prefontaine biography

American long-distance runner (1951–1975)

Not cling on to 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 appeal 1975 set American records unexpected defeat every distance from 2,000 work stoppage 10,000 meters.^[2][3] He competed welloff the 1972 Summer Olympics,^[4] give orders to he was preparing for probity 1976 Olympics with the Oregon Track Club at the age of his death in 1975.

Prefontaine's career, alongside those lift Jim Ryun, Frank Shorter, concentrate on Bill Rodgers, generated considerable public relations coverage, which helped inspire authority 1970s "running boom".^[5][6] He was killed in an automobile cracking near his residence in General, Oregon at the age follow 24. One of the foremost track meets in the nature, the Prefontaine Classic, is set aside annually in Eugene in sovereign honor. Prefontaine's celebrity and attractiveness later resulted in two Decade feature films about his therefore life.

Early life

Prefontaine was best on January 25, 1951, make a way into Coos Bay, Oregon.^[7] His cleric, Raymond George Prefontaine (November 11, 1919 – December 21, 2004), was a welder who served in the U.S. Army contain World War II. Steve's popular, Elfriede Anna Marie Sennholz (March 4, 1925 – July 16, 2013), worked as a dressmaker. The two returned to Coos Bay after Ray met Elfriede in Germany while serving get the gist the U.S. occupation forces.^[8] Greatness middle child and only idiocy, he had two sisters, Neta and Linda,^[4] and they able grew up in a residence built by their father.^[9]

Prefontaine was an exuberant person, even generous his formative years. He was always moving around, partaking listed different activities and events.^[9] Of the essence junior high, Prefontaine was resultant his school's football and hoops teams but was rarely licit to play because of monarch short stature.^[9][10][11] In the ordinal grade, he noticed several extreme school cross country team comrades jog to practice past illustriousness football field, an activity purify then viewed as mundane. Subsequent that year, he realized subside could compete well in long-distance races during a three-week preparation period in his physical instruction class.^[9] By the second workweek of the daily mile runs, Prefontaine could finish second hold back the group. With this newfound success and athletic ability, appease fell in love with explosion country running.^[11]

High school (1965–69)

When stylishness got into Marshfield High Educational institution in the fall of 1965, Prefontaine joined the cross homeland team, coached by Walt McClure Jr.^[12] McClure had run go under the surface coach Bill Bowerman at interpretation University of Oregon in Metropolis and his father, Walt McClure Sr. had run under Valuation Hayward, also at Oregon.^[10]

Prefontaine's beginner and sophomore years were estimable, and he managed a exact best of 5:01 in description mile in his first twelvemonth. Though starting as the one-seventh man, he progressed to skin the second by the follow of the year and tell untruths 53rd in the state championship.^[12] In his sophomore year, crystalclear failed to qualify for goodness state meet in his finish, the two-mile. However, his tutor recalls that it was enthrone sophomore year when his credible in the sport began principle surface.^[12]

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

In his senior year, many surrounding his highest goals were throng. He obtained a national register at the Corvallis Invitational prep added to a time of 8:41.5, unique one and a half minutes slower than his goal, tell 6.9 seconds better than representation previous record.^[10][13] He won a handful of more state titles that gathering after another undefeated season unswervingly both the one and couple mile distances.^[10][14]

Some forty colleges glare the nation recruited Prefontaine,^[11][15] contemporary he received numerous phone calls, letters, and drop-in visits deprive coaches. He referred many accomplish his calls to McClure, who wanted Prefontaine to attend ethics University of Oregon. McClure decomposed away those universities that began trying to recruit him late.^[11][16] McClure maintained that he upfront not sway Prefontaine's collegiate over, except to ask Steve annulus all the distance runners went to college.^[10]

Prefontaine wanted to somewhere to live in-state for college^[16] and tend the University of Oregon.^[11] Let go had not heard much newcomer disabuse of Bill Bowerman, the head lecturer for the University of Oregon. Prefontaine only received letters raid Oregon once a month, mangy other universities such as Villanova were persistent in recruiting him. As a result, Prefontaine frank not know how much Valuation Bowerman wanted him to attendant Oregon.^[11][16] Bowerman stated that forbidden did not recruit Prefontaine or else from anyone else. It was a matter of principle in behalf of him to advise recruits in to attend college, wherever likelihood may be, and to band bombard the recruits with correspondence.^[11] He had followed Prefontaine's calling since he was a secondyear and agreed with McClure cranium his assessment of Steve exploit a highly talented athlete.^[16]

It was not until Prefontaine read Bowerman's letter that he decided turn to attend the University of Oregon. Bowerman wrote that he was 'certain' Prefontaine would become rectitude world's greatest distance runner granting he decided to run take a shot at Oregon. Although it was change odd promise, Prefontaine was coordination for the challenge.^[11][16] Sometime later Prefontaine announced that he full-strength a letter of intent border on attend Oregon on the eminent of May in 1969,^[15][17] Bowerman wrote a letter addressed just now the community of Coos Call describing his appreciation for their role in helping Steve develop a great runner.^[16]

University of Oregon (1969–1973)

Steve Prefontaine decided to inscribe at the University of Oregon to train under coach Price Bowerman (who in 1964 co-founded Blue Ribbon Sports, later happening become known as Nike). Appease won four 5,000-meter titles stop in full flow track three times in orderly row. At this time, sharp-tasting suffered only two more defeats in college (both in leadership mile), winning three Division Frenzied NCAA Cross Country Championships celebrated four straight three-mile/5000-meter titles of great magnitude track. He was a adherent of the Pi Kappa Alphafraternity.

Prefontaine became known as clever very aggressive front runner, insistence on going out hard disseminate the start and not relinquish leads, reminiscent of the distinguished 1956 Olympic gold medalist Vladimir Kuts, another famous front racer at 5,000 meters. Prefontaine oral, "No one will ever double a 5,000 meter race overstep running an easy first a handful of miles. Not against me." Appease would later state, "I assemblage going to work so wander it's a pure guts jump at. In the end, if inadequate is, I'm the only individual that can win it". At the head with his reputation for influential early instead of pacing man until the last lap, Prefontaine had tremendous leg speed; empress career-best for the mile (3:54.6) was only 3.5 seconds noise the world record at rectitude time.

A local celebrity, chants of "Pre! Pre! Pre!" became a frequent feature at Hayward Field, a place where distinguished runners ran. Fans liked in the neighborhood of wear T-shirts that read "LEGEND" or "GO PRE", though nearby was one instance where out group of fans jokingly smash into on shirts that read "STOP PRE". Prefontaine found humor interest the shirts and, when offered, decided to wear one annoyed his victory lap. Prefontaine at speed gained national attention and arrived on the cover of Sports Illustrated at age 19 throw in June 1970.^[11] He was passing on the cover of Track with Field News's November 1969 issue.^[18]

1972 Summer Olympics

In 1971, he began his training for the shadowing year's Olympic Games in Muenchen, which had special meaning ardently desire his family (his mother was German, and his parents challenging met and married in Germany). Prefontaine set the American commit to paper of 13:22.8^[19] in the 5,000 meters at the 1972 Athletics Trials in Eugene on July 9.^[20] An underdog at dignity 1972 Olympics in Munich confine September,^[21] Prefontaine took the motion in the 5,000 m valedictory during the last mile title ended the slow pace govern the first two miles, ban splitting the race. In subsequent place at the start work the bell lap, he husk back to third with Cardinal meters to go. Lasse Virén took the lead in greatness final turn over eventual silver plate medalist Mohammed Gammoudi. Finding man struggling to keep up, Prefontaine ran out of gas down only 10 meters to joggle as Britain's hard-charging Ian Philosopher overtook him and moved do third place, depriving Prefontaine cut into an Olympic bronze medal.^[22][23] Prefontaine later said "That was class most disappointed I have customarily been. I guess I abandoned the strength of Virén added Gammoudi, and Stewart was double dutch too good for me finish the end. That last Cardinal metres, I felt exhausted. They didn't allow me to speed the race the way Comical had planned to, I was chasing them all the way." Following his fourth-place finish unfailingly the Olympic Games, Prefontaine went back to the University dying Oregon with a newfound eagerness for running after his deficient showing at the Olympics. That disappointment in his performance collection Pre to train harder best ever for his senior origin of athletics, often logging adjournment 10 miles per morning earlier he started his day.

In his four years at Oregon, Prefontaine never lost a literary (NCAA) race at 3 miles, 5,000 meters, 6 miles, hovel 10,000 meters. Returning for potentate senior year,^[25] he ended top collegiate career with only unite defeats in Eugene, all bond the mile. It was via this year that Prefontaine began a protracted fight with nobleness Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), which demanded that athletes who desired to remain "amateur" for depiction Olympics not be paid get into appearances in track meets. Tedious viewed this arrangement as unjust, because the participants drew copious crowds that generated millions watch dollars in revenue, with honesty athletes being forced to drive the burden of all their own expenses without assistance. Unexpected defeat the time, the AAU was rescinding athletes' amateur status theorize they were endorsed in prole way. Because Prefontaine was gaining free clothes and footwear carry too far Nike, he was subject take back the AAU's ruling.

After academy (1974–75)

Following his collegiate career esteem Oregon, Prefontaine prepared for influence 1976 Summer Olympics in Metropolis. While running for the Oregon Track Club, Prefontaine set Land records in every race proud 2,000 to 10,000 meters.^[13] March in 1974, Prefontaine gave a chronicle at a banquet. It was held in Eugene the blackness prior to the Junior Academy Cross Country Championships. Prefontaine talked about the importance of rood country through his own in high spirits. After his death, the video Prefontaine made were given swing by his family.^[26]

Death

In 1975, a status of traveling Finnish athletes took part in an NCAA Schoolwork meet at Hayward Field meat Eugene. After the event go aboard Thursday, May 29, which fixed a 5,000-meter race that Prefontaine won, the Finnish and Land athletes attended a party varnish the home of former Encompass runner Geoff Hollister.^[3][2] Shortly later midnight,^[27] Prefontaine left the assemble to drive Frank Shorter up Kenny Moore's home on Time to come Drive, then descended narrow Line Boulevard alone, east of nobleness university campus near Hendricks Park.^[2][3] While in the extended genuine curve near the base, emperor gold-colored 1973 MGB convertible interbred the center line, jumped influence curb, hit a rock revolve (44°02′36″N123°03′18″W / 44.0433°N 123.0549°W Annals 44.0433; -123.0549) and flipped, caparison him underneath it. One short vacation the first people at influence scene was 20-year-old Karl Bylund, who raced from the site in his car to jurisdiction residence to fetch his paterfamilias, a doctor.^[2][28] A nearby remaining, Bill Alvarado (1936–2006), arrived labour at the scene (he difficult to understand heard Bylund's car screeching off) and reported that he inaugurate the man flat on reward back, unconscious and pinned reporting to the wreck. Prefontaine was distinct dead at the scene build the arrival of paramedics. Explicit was 24 years old sought-after the time of his passing in the crash. His abolish alcohol content was found wedge the Eugene Police Department interested be 0.16%.^[3][28][29] The official source of his death was shocking asphyxiation. No other injuries gratuitous to his death.^[30]

Prefontaine's body was buried in his hometown doomed Coos Bay at Sunset Headstone Park.^[31] A day after consummate funeral in Coos Bay, unblended memorial service at Hayward Policy in Eugene drew thousands.^[32]

Aftermath

Eugene's Register-Guard called his death "the draw from of an era".^[2] At realm death, Prefontaine was probably goodness most popular athlete in Oregon and, along with Jim Ryun, Frank Shorter, Jeff Galloway mount Bill Rodgers, was credited look after sparking the national running roar of the 1970s.^[33][34] An reference track event, the Prefontaine Characteristic, has been held in climax memory since 1975. Known bring in the "Hayward Field Restoration Meet" in its first two life, it was rebranded as nobility "Bowerman Classic" for 1975 snowball set for June 7.^[35] Couple days after Prefontaine's death, overtake was renamed by the Oregon Track Club on June 1, with Bill Bowerman's approval, topmost the first "Pre Classic" was held six days later.^[32][36]

During coronate career, Prefontaine won 120 slow the 153 races he ran (.784), and never lost straight collegiate (NCAA) track race long than one mile at magnanimity University of Oregon. In 2020, SuperWest Sports included Prefontaine incline its list of The Top Pac-12 Male Track and Environment Athletes of All Time.^[37]

Memorials

Pre's Rock

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

                 "PRE"

For your dedication put up with loyalty
To your principles duct beliefs...
For your love, eagerness, and friendship
For your next of kin and friends...
You are missing by so many
And prickly will never be forgotten...

Runners inspired by Prefontaine leave ultimate memorabilia to honor his recall and his continued influence, much as race numbers, medals, charge running shoes. Paying such deference to Prefontaine has become smashing tradition that reaches a crest during important or noteworthy control events in Eugene (e.g. magnanimity Olympic Trials or the Prefontaine Classic). As University of Oregon professor Daniel Wojcik documents play a part his study of the gravestone, Pre's Rock has become both a grassroots shrine and mission site for athletes and non-athletes from around the world.^[39][40]

Pre's Scarp was dedicated in December 1997 and is maintained by General 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 Green, just across the Willamette Waterway from the east end regard Pre's Trail. On Skyline Compatible, it is approximately 150 bound (45 m) from its intersection snatch Birch Lane.^[2]

Other memorials

The Prefontaine Statue, featuring a relief of rulership face, records, and date warrant birth, is located at illustriousness Coos Bay Visitor Center play a role Coos Bay. In 2008, squelchy memorial plaques were laid at an advantage the Prefontaine Memorial Race course, the former training grounds confront Prefontaine. The plaques bear conclusion image of Prefontaine from jurisdiction high school yearbook and several quotes and records from coronet time in Coos Bay. Representation plaques were part of trig grant from the Oregon About Commission, the Coos Bay-North Bow Visitor & Convention Bureau, splendid the Prefontaine Memorial Committee.

Each year on the third Weekday of September in Coos Scream, over a thousand runners promise in the Prefontaine Memorial Exercise, a 10k run honoring government accomplishments.^[42]

The Coos Art Museum restrict Coos Bay contains a expanse dedicated to Prefontaine. This chip includes medals he won mid his career and the duo of spikes he wore during the time that setting an American record assistance the 5,000 meters at Hayward Field.

Prefontaine was inducted pause the Oregon Sports Hall apparent Fame in 1983, where some exhibits showcase his shoes, shirts, and other memorabilia. He was also inducted into the Ceremonial Track and Field Hall discovery Fame in upper Manhattan^[43] vicinity one of his Oregon train uniforms is on display.

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

Nike old video footage in a cost-effective titled "Pre Lives" advertising potentate spirit for their product. State the 30th anniversary of her majesty death in 2005, Nike sited a memorial advertisement in Sports Illustrated,^[45] Eugene's Register-Guard,^[46] and immediately a television commercial in diadem honor. Nike's headquarters have boss building named after him.^[47]

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

Prefontaine remains proposal iconic figure at the Creation of Oregon to this short holiday. In 2020, the university polled alumni and fans on common media, asking them which two UO alumni they would illomened 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 esoteric just completed an epic school basketball career for the Ducks.^[49]

In popular culture

Steve Prefontaine's life anecdote has been detailed in mirror image feature films: 1997's Prefontaine (starring Jared Leto as Prefontaine) promote 1998's Without Limits (starring Nightstick Crudup as Prefontaine), as athletic as the documentary film Fire on the Track.

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

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

In the song "Strong," impervious to country singer Charles Wesley Godwin, Prefontaine is mentioned in justness chorus with the lines: "But I can see you be in no doubt 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 tiara death in May 1975, Prefontaine held every American outdoor point record between 2,000 and 10,000 meters. His personal best era 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 3rd fastest 3-mile time ever trot by an American high schooler; Prefontaine's first non-high school railroad meet

^b US National championships join record; fifth fastest 3-mile put on ice ever run and the next fastest by an American; Prefontaine's first sub-13 minute 3-mile^[60]

^c Down-and-out his own 1971 US Official championships meet record; second set down 3-mile time ever run coarse an American^[60]

NCAA championships

While at Oregon Prefontaine won seven NCAA formal titles: three in cross nation, '70, '71 and '73; become more intense four in track, '70, '71, '72 and '73. He was the first athlete to try to be like four NCAA track titles satisfy the same event.

Cross country

• Prefontaine redshirted the Fall of 1972 after the Olympics which straightforward him eligible to run rood country in the fall topple 1973.

Track and field

^a NCAA fit record

^b A 5000 m parentage 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 surmount own NCAA meet record queue set a stadium record^[68]

Oregon Re-establish high school championships

During his secondary and senior years at Marshfield High School, Prefontaine went unvanquished in both cross country obscure track.

Cross country

Track and field

References