Why are the Trials being held in Eugene instead of a bigger city?
Eugene, known as “Track Town USA,” is probably one of the best places for the Trials because local fans have been supporting track since the days of Bill Bowerman and Steve Prefontaine. It’s expected that as many as 16,000 paying spectators will turn out for each day of competition. Eugene previously held the Track Trials in 1972, 1976, and 1980. But the Hayward Field facility at the University of Oregon grew a little tired and worn at the edges, and the Trials moved on to cities like Indianapolis, New Orleans, Atlanta and Sacramento (2000 and 2004). Now Hayward has been completely renovated and upgraded, and the Oregon faithful are once again eager to show their support for track and field.
