Steve Prefontaine

Steve Prefontaine, or "Pre," is the subject of this biography. Pre went from a benchwarming runt on the junior high football team to a world-class medium distance runner, setting many American records and falling just short of a medal in the 1972 Munich Olympics. He was tragically killed in a car accident at the age of 24, the probable result of Pre's drinking and driving.

Pre amazed everyone with his endurance, both physical and mental. He suffered severely harsh training regimens and, during races, pushed his body to the absolute limit. A sterling high school track career was eclipsed by achievements as a member of the University of Oregon's track team under coach Bill Bowerman, including a years-long streak of winning finishes on races over one-mile, from 1970 to 1974.

Pre gave the proverbial 110%, the first to arrive at the track and the last to leave. Competitive in everything he did...