It’s mid-day in Madrid, Spain, on February 11, 2026. I’m on the Madrid Airport, Gate S22. I’ve been in Madrid for one week, for a break between the 2 main U.A.E. operating occasions, the Dubai Marathon (February 1) and the Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon (February 14).
This morning, I posted an interview with Sam Ruthe, the sixteen yr outdated Kiwi phenom who simply ran 3:48.88 for the mile (3:33.25 en route for 1,500m) on January 31, 2026.
Yesterday, the NIKE Pre Traditional, now in its 51rst yr, introduced Cole Hocker, Olympic champion, 1500 meters, World Champion 5,000 meters, Cam Myers, Aussie 19 yr outdated phenom who simply set NR at 3,000m and received the Millrose Wanamaker Mile, and Sam Ruthe, New Zealand sixteen yr outdated who now has the World U18 for 1,500m and mile!
I used to be considering, what would Steve Prefontaine have stated? I pulled this piece on Pre and thought our pricey readers may prefer it!
First Reposted on Might 25, 2018 (from 2017)
In a couple of hours, hundreds of individuals will collect at Hayward Discipline to look at the primary of two days of athletics devoted to the late Steve Prefontaine. I used to be fifteen when Prefontaine died. He was our rock star. One of many few observe athletes on TV, the information of his demise rang out throughout the nation. I bear in mind racing the Pre Montreal observe spikes the following season for my first 10,000m and Hour Run Champs. Right here’s a few of my ideas on Steve Prefontaine, the younger man who influenced so many.
I used to be seventeen years outdated when Steve Prefontaine misplaced his life in an auto accident, in Might 1975. Steve Prefontaine was a brash, opinionated, targeted Olympian who was removed from his finest on the time of his demise. Forty-two years later, one wonders what would have develop into of the late Steve Prefontaine.
The Pre Traditional honors Steve Prefontaine and his legacy every Might. The little firm that has develop into the Nike behemoth celebrates operating, leaping and throwing at Hayward Discipline every Pre Traditional.
The performances have been incredible and on my drive again from Eugene, after a little bit sleeping, there was some reflection on Steve Prefontaine.
Nike Poster from the outdated days, Pre Montreal observe spike, images courtesy of Nike
Steve Prefontaine skilled, earlier than the 1972 Olympics, in Stockholm, the place he frolicked with Jan Johnson, who would develop into the bronze medalist within the 1972 Olympics within the pole vault. Jan Johnson and Steve Prefontaine have been room mates a part of that summer time, and each have been fairly excessive power younger grownup American males. Jan advised us, in an outdated American Monitor & Discipline article, that Steve Prefontaine liked aiding Mr. Johnson is carrying poles by means of airports round Europe. Steve apparently discovered it a enjoyable solution to meet younger lady as Jan Johnson and Pre traveled. Jan Johnson advised us a couple of exercise he timed for Steve Prefontaine, which included thrice the mile, beginning at 4:12, and getting quicker. Jan Johnson advised me that it was spectacular to look at.
In 1993, on the Pre Traditional, Frank Shorter spoke concerning the impact that Steve Prefontaine’s loss had on him. Shorter advised the assembled crowd that he had developed a relationship with Pre coaching over the previous few years with Pre. Shorter famous that part of him died with the demise of Steve Prefontaine.
Steve Prefontaine was a enjoyable loving, fairly atypical 25 yr outdated, who liked his mates, household and followers. He thrived on his racing at Hayward Discipline. Racing and operating was not about cash to Pre, or he would have taken the $250,000 provide from the Skilled Monitor Circuit on the time. He had locations to go, and races to win.
David Bedford, is the previous World File holder at 10,000 meters, and since 1998, the elite coordinator and previous Race Director of the Virgin Cash London Marathon. David Bedford advised me lately, about spending an pleasing night in Munich, Germany, the evening after the 5000 meter ultimate on the 1972 Olympics. David loved Steve Prefontaine’s firm, and advised me that he thought Steve Prefontaine and him have been a lot alike. In an upcoming video collection from RunBlogRun, look ahead to David Bedford to debate a few of his time with Steve Prefontaine.
I by no means bought to fulfill Steve Prefontaine. I did watch Steve Prefontaine race a couple of instances on TV, and watched him interviewed. I’ve watched these movies many times, in addition to learn Tom Jordan’s guide, Pre!, a number of instances. He was, and is, an American enigma. I’m certain he can be bemused over the Pre Traditional. Pre was a observe fan and loved different occasions moreover distance operating.
The Shoe above was known as the Pre Montreal. I wore that pair my total senior yr, racing from half of one mile to 2 miles. That summer time, with buddy Bob Lucas, I ran my first hour run championships, and with Bob Lucas and Danny Grimes, ran our first 10,000 meters on the observe. It was a colourful, enjoyable shoe and jogged my memory of my hero.
I prefer to image Steve Prefontaine sitting within the stands at Hayward Discipline, in a hoodie and sweats. Pre can be watching the Pre Traditional, and every other meet at Hayward Discipline. Would he have loved the children, like Jakob Ingebrigtsen and DJ Principe within the mile? How would he have loved the younger vaulter, Mondo Duplantis? And the grand battle within the triple leap, with William Claye and Christian Taylor, with two big jumps would have put a smile on his face, would he have loved that? Lastly, the 5000 meters, with Mo Farah successful from an enormous area of 29, may need caught his consideration.
Largely, I might have simply favored to have talked to Pre, and requested him what he liked about his sport.
I’m certain that might have been a colourful reply.
