Description:

Steve Prefontaine "Pre" is one of Oregon's greatest sports legends. He is a former Duck athlete who helped to fuel the American running craze in the mid-1970s, earned a fourth-place Olympic finish in 1972 (5K), and numerous American records including seven NCAA titles. He is the inspiration for many runners in the decades since. Tragically, he was killed in a car crash at the age of 24 near the UO. On this walk, we get to learn more about "Pre" through some of the places he visited, his memorial, and his legacy at Hayward Field. Please share any stories or knowledge you have of this running legend while on our walk.

We begin at the Amazon Community Center in the south lot. We will walk through Amazon Park on the jogging path to 23rd, crossing over Hilyard to East Amazon and passing an establishment where Pre once worked as a bartender. Continuing up 32nd to University Ave., we will use the pedestrian bridge crossing over 30th, continuing through the Masonic Cemetery to 24th, then onto Columbia to Fairmount Blvd which will take us into Hendricks Park. There is the opportunity for a restroom stop at this mid-point on the walk. We continue past the shelter up Birch Lane to Skyline where the Prefontaine Memorial Park is located (Pre's Rock). Continuing on Birch we connect with 15th in view of Hayward Field. If Hayward Hall, located at the base of the tower, is open we will step inside (the hall is optional if you wish to continue back to Amazon). Hayward Hall is a 4,000 square-foot interactive display that tells the story of UO's track and field legacy. We then continue on Agate Street to 18th and make our way to the more quiet Agate Street to about 26th and make our way over to the Amazon Community Center. We should be back to our starting point by 4-ish.