Who is Steve Prefontaine

Pre: The Story of America's Greatest Running Legend, Steve Prefontaine

by: Tom Jordan

Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 11/21/2009)
Used Price: $4.00

While this book doesn't necessarily delve into the biography of the great sports star Steve Prefontaine as opposed to recount his specific athletic challenges, it still manages to motivate and commemorate. The most moving passages are personal accounts and recollections from the friends and competitors he influenced with his talent, determination, perseverance and "Gift."

A too-short life with a tragic end, remembered still for the great triumphs he enjoyed.

Any runner with even a passing interest in the sport will want to read this great little book. Chances are, he or she will finish it wanting to go out and hit the road for a good, hard run.

Go Pre!
--Nelson Aspen

Bowerman and the Men of Oregon: The Story of Oregon's Legendary Coach and Nike's Co-founder

by: Kenny Moore

Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2009)
Used Price: $5.85

Even though I am a big track and field fan, and I even went to the NCAA National T & F Championship meet at Oregon in 1962, I never realized how big an influence Bill Bowerman was on his athletes and on the whole state of Oregon.

This well-researched volume gives the reader a true understanding of Bowerman-the-man, his roots and his impact on Oregon society. It was a wonderful read and an inspiring personal journey. --George L. Parrott

Fire on the Track: The Steve Prefontaine Story

Amazon Price: $18.99 (as of 11/21/2009)
Used Price:

I first saw this when it aired on TV, in 1995 or 1996, while I was still in high school. I didn't watch it again for over a decade, until I recently purchased this DVD. There were so many lines from this that were still in my head after all this years, like when the sportscaster says Pre was running against "the very big boys" and would have to wait until 1976 to win his medal. Or when the bronze medalist from the '72 Olympic 5000 meter race, the UK's Ian Stewart who passed Pre in the closing yards of the race, talked about Pre not being aware of how many the European runners could match Pre's pre-race plan of running the last mile in 4:00. The black and white footage of Pre powering down and then up a hill during one of his college cross country races was great, it was stuck in my mind during my runs for the next week. This DVD is much more worth owning than either of the full length movies that have been made about Pre, although they are worth having as well. --Ryan Larson

Without Limits

Amazon Price: $5.79 (as of 11/21/2009)
Used Price: $2.09

"Without Limits" is the best sports movie of the 1990s, hands down. However, because it does not have the traditional happy ending that seems to be required of sports movies, it received very little notice. That's unfortunate because in addition to containing an Oscar-calliber performance from Donald Sutherland, the rest of the acting and direction are absolutely first rate. Robert Towne captures the essence of the great Prefontaine through the being of Billy Crudup. The race scenes are simply breathtaking. Prefontaine comes off as a real person, with all of his virtues and faults, rather than some mythical presence. Even the love story rings absolutely true instead of being an unreal fable. Overall, you could call this one a "Bang the Drum Slowly" for the 1990s. Its that heartbreaking. --Brian D. Rubendall

Prefontaine

Amazon Price: $8.49 (as of 11/21/2009)
Used Price: $3.92

This movie is great for those interested in running as a competitive sport. My prime running years developed during Prefontaine's peak years, so I was one of those keenly aware of his abilities and influence. I was sad to hear of his untimely death. This movie helped remind me of that time period and how much of an impact he had on long-distance running. It was also good to see Frank Shorter in the movie (another giant from that time).

The actors were good and the cameos by actual characters were really good. The running was realistic and fast-paced. Even some of the true cross-country scenery was included, which is not often seen these days.

The movie keeps flowing, which might have been hard for a topic that is usually laid-back. I was glad that the movie focused on the topic and did not fall for the typical Hollywood glitz that tries to cover up reality. The emotionality (the triumph and the defeat made popular by ABC at that time) is brought into new light for viewers who may have considered running a dull sport. I know it certainly got my adrenaline flowing again. Go Pre, Go! --Randy Given