In the early morning hours of May 30, 1975, toward the
bottom of Skyline Boulevard — a route that Prefontaine had
run countless times — the record-setting competitor from
Coos Bay lost control of his car and crashed into the natural
rock wall that still lines the street. His car flipped over and he
was pinned beneath the vehicle, unable to move. By the time
help arrived Prefontaine had died. He was 24 years old.
There exist manifold theories as to why Prefontaine
crashed. As is the case with any icon whose life was cut
short by a seemingly bizarre and random event, fans, loved
ones and conspiracy theorists all have their opinions as to
what brought about the end. Autopsy results showed that
Prefontaine had a blood alcohol content of 0.16 percent,
and many attribute his intoxication to the untimely death.
Others speculate that he simply could have misjudged the
velocity at which he took the curve. Some folks believe
Prefontaine was swerving to avoid another car. Skid marks
approximately 13 yards from the accident indicate that
Prefontaine hit the brakes after losing control of the vehicle.
He may have been glancing down to retrieve a cassette tape.
The reality is, no one knows what happened — except for
Pre, and the rock.
Newell is momentarily hesitant. His mother is ready and
waiting, her pride and shutter speed primed. The soon-to-be
high-school freshman is surrounded by a group of his
friends, none of whom have touched the rock yet. All of
them watch Newell, waiting for him to reach out and press
his hand against the boulder. He is a second cousin to the
great Prefontaine (a fact that his mother makes sure to
reiterate) and, for him, this is a rite of passage.
“Touch it, Wyatt!” one of the boys shouts.
And then, in an act of pure volition, Newell extends his arm
and touches Pre’s Rock. A smattering of applause erupts from
those surrounding him. And it’s not just his friends; others have
come to worship at the altar of Prefontaine, people of all ages
with cameras slung and eyes eager — they also clap.
Newell smiles bashfully, and the other boys follow suit,
touching the rock. The boys say they hope this pilgrimage
to touch Pre’s Rock will bring them speed when competing
in upcoming sporting events. At the behest of Newell’s
mother the boys observe a brief moment of silence for the
legend. Then they turn and race each other downhill.
Like most legendary figures whose ghost is capable of
trans-generational haunting, Prefontaine is known by many
as “that track guy with the mustache,” or the long-distance
runner from Oregon portrayed by Jared Leto in the 1997
movie Prefontaine, and by Billy Crudup in the Tom Cruise
produced flick Without Limits, released the year after. When
it comes to pop culture, the Prefonataine mythology has
outlived his accomplishments. Simply put, some don’t
know how good he really was.
While attending the UO, Prefontaine won the NCAA
Men’s Cross Country Championship three out of the four
years he competed. It is argued that he would have won a
fourth championship, had he not unsurprisingly opted to
take the ‘72 season off in order to train for the Olympics. A
poster boy for the sport who was featured on the cover of
Sports Illustrated June 15, 1970, Prefontaine was known as
an extremely aggressive runner who refused to relinquish
the lead when he held it. In one of his most famous quotes,
Prefontaine said: “I run to see who has the most guts.”
“At the time of his death, he [Prefontaine] held every
American record in long distance running,” Eugene
Running Company owner Bob Coll says.
Put it this way: The guy was such a beast on the track
that while his fans wore shirts that simply said “Legend” on
them, his opponent’s fans wore shirts that said “Stop Pre.”
“It speaks volumes that someone who died in 1975 is still
the most dominant figure of long distance running,” Coll says.
“The allure [of Pre’s Rock] is the spirit of defiance and cele-
bration that exists in the running community because of Pre.”
Another choice quote that helped immortalize
Prefontaine — who was among other things, a relentless
competitor who set a world record at the Olympic Trials in
‘72 — goes like this: “Somebody may beat me, but they are
going to have to bleed to do it.”
Similar to athletes such as Jack Johnson, Venus Williams
or Dennis Rodman, what Prefontaine possessed was a
boisterous personality that accentuated his immense talent.
He transcended the world of sport not only because he was
such a master of his craft but because he approached his sport
with the passion of an artist and the attrition of a soldier.
That’s why he is a legend, not just in Eugene but everywhere.
This is why “his people” (as he called them), a religion of
runners and track fans bound by sweaty sneakers and
released by starting pistols, still pay homage to him.
At the base of Pre’s Rock sit offerings — flowers,
pictures, medals, medallions, handwritten letters detailing
love affairs with middle and long-distance running — tokens
of adoration left by fans from all over the country. Because
that is what separates legend from life, legends do not die. ew
For information on guided tours of Pre’s Rock go to eugenecascadescoast.org
or call 686-6860
WYATT “WHEELS” NEWELL AT PRE’S ROCK
S
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SE TIL BL
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blues tour
JUNE 26, 2012 • 3PM-9PM
HAPPY HOUR, DINNER
& BLUES SHOW
With stops at Ninkasi Brewery, The Humble
Beagle Pub and Mac’s Restaurant & Lounge
Only $50 per person • $85 per couple
BES
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Join us on E 15th behind Hayward Field for
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from 2-4 pm Friday June 22nd for $1.00 off
all Coconut Bliss
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JUNE 27, 2012 • 3PM-10PM
WINE TASTING, DINNER
& PERFORMANCE
With stops at Sweet Cheek’s Winery,
Red Agave and Lord Leebrick Theatre
Only $62 per person • $100 per couple
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EUGENE WEEKLY JUNE 21, 2012 13