Prefontaine
- By Doug Kurtis
Free Press Columnist

While watching the Piston's playoff game last Sunday, I was surprised when a Nike commercial was broadcast commemorating the life of Steve Prefontaine.   Monday was the 30th anniversary of his death from a car accident while returning home from a post track meet party.

Pre, as so many liked to call him, is one of the most legendary runners in American history.   Pre held every American running record from 2,000 to 10,000 meters at the time of his death. He never lost a race at Hayward Field while running for the University of Oregon.   He was also the first athlete to win four consecutive NCAA titles in the same event, the 5000 meters. After finishing fourth in the 1972 Munich Olympics 5000, many felt he was the favorite to win the gold in Montreal.

It wasn't just his records that made him a legend. He had a rare combination of talent, discipline, guts and an unabashed style that endured him to many that were touched when they saw him compete.   He had many devoted fans that would roar encouragement, "Go Pre" as he ran laps around the track.  

Pre once said, "Most people race to see who is the fastest. I run a race to see who has the most guts."   He is also remembered for saying, "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift."

A book and three excellent movies, "Pre",   "Without Limits" and "Fire and the Track" have been made about his life. Several memorials have been dedicated to him including in his hometown of Coos Bay, Oregon.   A road race on his favorite running trail in Eugene continues to be held every September.

Prefontaine made the cover of Sports Illustrated at 19, in part because of the passion he brought to the track. He was a runner who liked to run hard from the start and was capable of handling a high threshold of pain. "I like to make people stop and say, I've never seen anyone run like that before," said Pre.

In its commercial, Nike describes him as a rebel. But all he really wanted was for runners to be treated with dignity. He fought with the AAU, the governing body of Track and Field, to give amateur athletes better treatment.   He spurned huge monetary rewards to be able to compete in the 1976 Olympics.  

It's not too late to sign up for one of the best races of the summer.   The 32 nd annual Dexter-Ann Arbor Run will be held this Sunday.   The 5km, 10km and half marathon all run along the scenic Huron River and finish on Main Street in downtown Ann Arbor.   Nearly 5000 runners competed last year. Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr will be running the 5km and encouraging running to help raise money for the new C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.

Anyone that has competed in the 10km has crossed the Huron River rapids via the old iron bridge at East Delhi. The bridge is one of only four of its kind still left in Michigan.   Plans are for it to be replaced by a two lane concrete structure.   Concerned citizens have formed a conservancy to explore ways to retain and restore what has been one of the visual highlights of the event.

For more information, go to www.dexterannarborrun.com

Contact Doug Kurtis at Detroit Free Press, 600 W. Fort St. Detroit, 48226