Who was the self-described as a fanatic of Steve Prefontaine?
Prefontaine (January 25, 1951 – May 30, 1975) was an American middle and long-distance runner. Prefontaine helped inspire the “running boom” in the 1970s along with contemporaries Frank Shorter and Bill Rodgers. Born and raised in Coos Bay, Oregon, Prefontaine was primarily a long-distance runner who once held the American record in the seven distance track events from the 2000 meters to the 10,000 meters.[1] Prefontaine died at the age of 24 in a car accident. As a freshman at Marshfield High School in Coos Bay, Oregon, Prefontaine found some success in cross country. With help from the Marshfield cross country coach, Walt McClure, he placed 53rd in the Oregon state meet. During his freshman year, Prefontaine established relatively modest personal bests of 5:01 in the mile and 10:08 in the two mile. Determined to improve, Prefontaine undertook a high-mileage training plan during the summer, and placed sixth in the year-end state meet. His sophomore season was unspectacular, with the e
EUGENE, Ore. — Olympic gold medalist LaShawn Merritt bested his own Hayward Field record by winning the seldom-run 300 meters in 31.30 seconds Sunday in the Prefontaine Classic. Merritt, who won gold in the 400 last summer in Beijing, surpassed his own mark of 31.31 at the venerated track in 2006. He also topped the Prefontaine-best 32.19 set by Jason Rouser in 1994. “I’m more of a sprinter-type quarter-miler,” Merritt said. “I have a quarter-miler background, so the (300) is right down my alley.” Fellow Americans Xavier Carter was second in 31.93, and Wallace Spearmon was third in 32.14. The Pre, as it is known, is the last major meet in the United States before the national championships later this month. Kenyan Vivian Cheruiyot set a record on American soil when she won the 2,000 meters in 5:31.52. She surpassed Mary Slaney’s 1984 record of 5:32.70 in the event, which also is infrequently run. “I’m happy because I had never run 2,000,” Cheruiyot said. American Kara Goucher, who was
Miller plans to complete his 200th marathon Sunday. It will also be his 30th consecutive Portland Marathon. He goes by “Ultra Al,” is a self-described Steve Prefontaine fanatic who lives north of St. Helens. He injured his back in 1990, and when it flares up during a race, he will strap on a heating pad or pop some Advil. “I’m proud of 200,” said Miller, who will wearing bib number 200. “But I’m more pumped about the (Portland Marathon) streak. It’s my hometown race.” Miller had a 17-year streak of running the Seaside Marathon, which is no longer contested. Miller said he would celebrate at the finish by “grabbing a pizza or something.” He but has no plans to quit. Sources: http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2009/10/portland_marathon_pace_leaders.
