The Prefontaine Classic, an
Oregon Track Club
The Oregon Track Club (OTC) is an American running organization based in Eugene, Oregon.
History Emerald Empire Athletic Association
Formed by Bill Bowerman, the Emerald Empire Athletic Association (EEAA) was the predecessor to the Oregon Track C ...
event, is one of the premier
track and field meets in the
United States, held in
Eugene, Oregon. Every year it draws a world caliber field to compete at
Hayward Field
Hayward Field is a track and field stadium in the northwest United States, located on the campus of the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon. It has been the home of the university's track and field teams since 1921, and was the on-campus ho ...
on the campus of the
University of Oregon. Previously one of the
IAAF Grand Prix
The IAAF Grand Prix was an annual, global circuit of one-day outdoor track and field competitions organized by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). It was created in 1985 as the IAAF's first seasonal track and field circu ...
events, it is now part of the
Diamond League. The meet is one of the few international competitions to host the
imperial
Imperial is that which relates to an empire, emperor, or imperialism.
Imperial or The Imperial may also refer to:
Places
United States
* Imperial, California
* Imperial, Missouri
* Imperial, Nebraska
* Imperial, Pennsylvania
* Imperial, Texas
...
distances of the
Mile run
The mile run (1,760 yards or exactly 1,609.344 metres) is a middle-distance foot race.
The history of the mile run event began in England, where it was used as a distance for gambling races. It survived track and field's switch t ...
and 2 Mile run.
History
The first Prefontaine Classic was held in 1975. The meet had its genesis with the Hayward Restoration Meets of 1973–74. The Hayward Restoration meets were launched to help replace the deteriorated wooden West Grandstands at Hayward Field. It was to become the "Bowerman Classic" in 1975 to honor longtime University of Oregon track coach
Bill Bowerman, and was scheduled for June 7.
With the unexpected death of University of Oregon distance runner and
Olympian Steve Prefontaine
Steve Roland "Pre" Prefontaine (January 25, 1951 – May 30, 1975) was an American long-distance runner who from 1973 to 1975 set American records at every distance from 2,000 to 10,000 meters. He competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics, and ...
in an automobile accident on May 30, the Oregon Track Club changed the name, with Bowerman's approval, on June 1;
the first "Pre Classic" was held six days later.
Nike has been the primary sponsor since 1978.
The 2019 edition moved to
Stanford's Cobb Track and Angell Field,
Palo Alto, California because of restoration of Hayward Field in anticipation of the IAAF World Athletics Championships in 2021.
The 2020 edition was cancelled due to the
COVID-19 pandemic.
World records
Over the course of its history, four
world records have been set at the Prefontaine Classic.
Notable performances and records
Alan Webb's high school record
At the 2001 Prefontaine Classic,
Alan Webb ran 3:53.43 in the Bowerman Mile and broke
Jim Ryun
James Ronald Ryun (born April 29, 1947) is an American former Republican politician and Olympic track and field athlete, who at his peak was widely considered the world's top middle-distance runner. He won a silver medal in the 1500 m at the ...
's national
high school record that had stood for 36 years. This was also the fastest mile by an American in three years.
Maria Mutola in the 800 m
Maria de Lurdes Mutola
Maria de Lurdes Mutola ( ; born 27 October 1972) is a retired female track and field athlete from Mozambique who specialised in the 800 metres running event. She is only the fourth female track and field athlete to compete at six Olympic Games. ...
won 16 consecutive (1993-2008) women's
800 m
The 800 metres, or meters ( US spelling), is a common track running event. It is the shortest commonly run middle-distance running event. The 800 metres is run over two laps of an outdoor (400-metre) track and has been an Olympic event since th ...
races at the Pre Classic.
Meet records
Men
Women
Notes
*
en route
''En route'' may refer to:
* ''En Route'' (novel), an 1895 novel by Joris-Karl Huysmans
* ''En Route'' (film), a 2004 German movie directed by Jan Krüger
* En-route chart, in aeronautics
* enRoute (credit card), Air Canada's credit card divisio ...
in Mile
*
en route
''En route'' may refer to:
* ''En Route'' (novel), an 1895 novel by Joris-Karl Huysmans
* ''En Route'' (film), a 2004 German movie directed by Jan Krüger
* En-route chart, in aeronautics
* enRoute (credit card), Air Canada's credit card divisio ...
in 2-Mile
References
External links
Diamond League - Eugene Official Web SiteOfficial Prefontaine Classic websiteOfficial Steve Prefontaine websitePre Classic Results / Records Home at RunnerSpace.com
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Track and field competitions in the United States
Recurring sporting events established in 1973
Diamond League
IAAF Grand Prix
Sports in Eugene, Oregon
Sports competitions in Oregon
1973 establishments in Oregon
Annual events in Eugene, Oregon
Track and field in Oregon
Annual track and field meetings
IAAF World Outdoor Meetings