Today, May 30, 2026, marks the fifty-first anniversary of the death of American long-distance running icon Steve Prefontaine. I thought you might like this piece…
Last reports: February 11, 2026
It is noon in Madrid, Spain February 11, 2026 I am located Madrid Airport, Gate S22. I’m in Madrid for a week, a break between the two major running events in the UAE, the Dubai Marathon (February 1) and the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon (February 14).
This morning I posted an interview with Sam Root, the sixteen-year-old Kiwi phenom who ran a 3:48.88 mile on January 31, 2026 (3:33.25 over 1500m on the road).
Yesterday, the NIKE Pre Classic, now in its 51st year, announced Olympic champion Cole Hawker in the 1500m, world champion in the 5000m, Cam Myers, the 19-year-old Australian phenom who just set the NR at 3,000m and won the Millrose Wanamaker Mile, and Sam Land Rutten, who now has a six-year-old Zeeland Rutten. 1500m and a mile.
I wondered what Steve Prefontaine would say. I pulled this piece over on Pre and thought it might appeal to our lovely readers.
Reposted for the first time May 25, 2018 (from 2017)
In a few hours, thousands will gather at Hayward Field to watch the first of two days of athletics honoring the late Steve Prefontaine. I was fifteen when Prefontaine died. He was our rock star. One of the few televised running athletes, news of his death spread across the country. I remember racing the Pre-Montreal tracks the following season for my first 10,000m and Hour Run Champs. Here are some of my thoughts on Steve Prefontaine, a young man who influenced so many.
I was seventeen when Steve Prefontaine lost his life in a car accident in 1975. in May. Steve Prefontaine was a stubborn, stubborn, focused Olympian who was far from his best at the time of his death. Forty-two years later, one wonders what would have happened to the late Steve Prefontaine.
The Pre Classic honors Steve Prefontaine and his legacy each May. The little company that became the behemoth Nike celebrates running, jumping and throwing at Hayward Field at every Pre Classic.
The performances were fantastic, and on the way back from Eugene, after a little sleep, there was some mention of Steve Prefontaine.
Nike poster from the old days, Pre Montreal track jump, photos courtesy of Nike
Steve Prefontaine trained in Stockholm before the 1972 Olympics, where he spent time with Ian Johnson, who would become a bronze medalist in the pole vault. Jan Johnson and Steve Prefontaine were roommates that summer, and both were fairly high-energy young adult American men. Jahn told us in an old American Track & Field article that Steve Prefontaine loved helping Mr. Johnson move the poles through airports in Europe. Steve apparently found it a fun way to meet young women when Ian Johnson and Pre were traveling. Jan Johnson told us about a workout for Steve Prefontaine that included three miles starting at 4:12 and faster. Jan Johnson told me it was impressive to watch.
On the 1993 Pre Classic, Frank Shorter talked about the impact the loss of Steve Prefontaine had on him. Shorter told the crowd that he had developed a relationship with Pree over the past few years. Shorter noted that a part of him died with Steve Prefontaine.
Steve Prefontaine was a fun-loving, rather unconventional 25-year-old who loved his friends, family and fans. He thrived with his racing at Hayward Field. Racing and running was not about money for Pre or he would have accepted a $250,000 offer from the Professional Track Circuit at the time. He had places to go and he was running to win.
David Bedford is a former 10,000m world record holder and, since 1998, the elite co-ordinator and former race director of the Virgin Money London Marathon. David Bedford recently told me about spending a pleasant evening in Munich, Germany, the night after the 1972 Olympic 5,000-meter final. David enjoyed Steve Prefontaine’s company and told me he thought they were very similar. In an upcoming RunBlogRun video series, watch David Bedford discuss some of his time with Steve Prefontaine.
I never got to meet Steve Prefontaine. I actually watched Steve Prefontaine race on TV a few times and saw him do an interview. I’ve watched those videos over and over and read Tom Jordan’s Pre! the book. He was and is an American enigma. I’m sure he’ll be surprised by the Pre Classic. Pre was a fan of track and enjoyed other events besides long distance running.
The top shoe was called the Pre-Montreal. I wore that pair my entire senior year, running from 880 yards to 2 miles. That summer, with a friend, Bob Lucas, I ran my first hour championship, and with Bob Lucas and Danny Grimes, I ran our first 10,000 meters on the track. It was a colorful, fun shoe and reminded me of my hero.
I like to picture Steve Prefontaine sitting in the stands at Hayward Field, hat on and sweating. Pre will watch the Pre Classic and any other match at Hayward Field. Would he have enjoyed the youth like Jakob Ingebrigtsen, within a mile of high school DJ Princip? How would he enjoy the young leapers, Mondo Duplantis? And a big battle in the triple jump with William Clay and Christian Taylor, two huge jumps, would put a smile on his face. Would he enjoy it? Finally, the 5000m, where Mo Farah won from a huge field of 29, could have caught his eye.
Basically, I’d just like to talk to Pre and ask him what he likes about his sport.
I’m sure that would be a colorful answer.
