Prefontaine, Steve (1951-1975), ranks among the greatest long distance runners in American track and field history. At the peak of his career, Prefontaine held every American track record from 2,000 meters to 10,000 meters (1,000 meters equals 0.62 miles). He ran 151 outdoor races, winning 119 of them. Prefontaine became famous for his aggressive running style. He took the lead at the beginning of a race and stayed in front throughout the event.
Steve Roland Prefontaine was born on Jan. 25, 1951, in Coos Bay, Oregon. While attending high school in Oregon, he set a national record in the 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) run and broke 19 national high school records. He entered the University of Oregon in 1969 and won three National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) cross-country titles and four 3-mile (5,000-meter) championships before graduating in 1973. Prefontaine was the first athlete to win four consecutive NCAA championships in the same event.
Prefontaine competed in the 1972 Summer Olympic Games , finishing fourth in the 5,000-meter run after leading with 600 meters remaining. Prefontaine was training for the 1976 Olympics when he died in an automobile accident on May 30, 1975. His death at the age of 24 shocked the international track and field community. Since 1975, an annual track and field meet called the Prefontaine Classic has been held in the runner’s honor in Eugene, Oregon. Prefontaine was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1976.
