A Tour of Prefontaine
Pre-grimmage
By Paul Clerici
As featured in the issue of Running Times Magazine
Beaverton
A side trip to Beaverton, about 100 miles north of Eugene, and eight miles from Portland, is the Nike Headquarters. Located off Murray Boulevard, it is home of the famed shoe company with which Pre was so involved. Upon entering the location, there is a soccer field just beyond the entrance and a runner’s path can be seen encircling the area. In addition to the Alberto Salazar Building and the Joan Benoit Samuelson Building is the Steve Prefontaine Building, the backside of which is reflected on the pristine manmade body of water. The front of the building serves as the main entranceway to Nike once inside its campus.
Inside the Prefontaine is housed a dizzying display of items that relate to Pre, Bowerman, and Nike, including original designs, Bowerman’s waffle sole prototypes, Pre’s running journal, and loads of photographs and clothing Pre wore as a competitor. Standing behind the two receptionists’ desks and framed by the glass wall that faces the water is a magnificent larger-than-life statue of Pre, complete with his familiar grimace and slanted stance. It is the only such honor among the many famous athletes who represent Nike, and that includes the likes of Tiger Woods, Salazar, Michael Jordan, and Samuelson.
A word of caution in regard to a visit here is that the headquarters, while there were no security gates or personnel at the entrance, and the people roaming the area were friendly and accommodating with directions, is private property.
Legacy
While nothing can truly ever replace the man, Steve Prefontaine’s legacy can be found in places such as these and in the hearts of those who knew him and those who are beginning to know him.
Pre is everywhere, from the swoosh logo of Nike to the trails of Oregon; from the money raised in his name to the races that bare his name. And all those amateur runners who can now freely compete without being told by an athletic governing body where to run can thank Pre for his endless battles with the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU).
Among the many resources available to enhance such a Pre trip, in addition to Jordan’s fine book, the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, and “Fire on the Track,” are numerous magazine articles and websites reachable via the net.