Looking back at Steve Prefontaine’s legacy 50 years after his death

Think Out Loud

Looking back at Steve Prefontaine’s legacy 50 years after his death

Clean

Published on May 30, 2025, 12:34:06 PM
Total time: 00:21:54

Episode Description

It’s been 50 years since legendary Oregon track and field athlete Steve Prefontaine died in a car crash on May 30, 1975. He was only 24 years old. At the time, the Coos Bay runner held every U.S. distance record from the two-kilometer race to the 10K and was training for the 1976 Olympics. His athleticism and charisma made him one of the best-known runners to come out of the University of Oregon and helped him land a brand deal as Nike’s first celebrity athlete.

Brendan O’Meara is the author of the new biography “The Front Runner: The Life of Steve Prefontaine.” He joins us to talk about Pre’s impact on the sport and his legacy in the track and field community.

More about Think Out Loud

OPB's daily conversation covering news, politics, culture and the arts. Hosted By Dave Miller.