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PRE LIVES.

Article Excerpt
Byline: Curtis Anderson The Register-Guard

Elfriede Prefontaine will be in her customary seat in the West Grandstand at Hayward Field on Saturday, surrounded by friends and family at the annual Prefontaine Classic track and field meet.

For the first time, however, her husband of 56 years, Ray, will not be there; he passed away in December. Still, when she speaks of their last visit to Pre's Rock - the memorial at the site of her son's death - it's difficult not to use the pronoun `we.'

`We don't go very often,' she said. `The few times we were there, we put flowers down. That's all we can do for Steve.'

Elfriede Prefontaine is comforted by the fact that 30 years after the death of her son, the spirit and legacy of Steve Prefontaine, better known as `Pre,' never have been more alive. The memory of America's greatest distance runner continues to inspire new generations of young runners all over the world.

`It's hard to believe,' she said. `Ray and I always thought it was amazing that Steve is still remembered after all these years. I think it was his charisma, hard work and attitude of never giving less than your best. People relate to those values. He was always down to earth and became an inspiration to so many of all ages. ...

`It warms our hearts, and it's a great tribute to Steve.'

Pre's Rock, located on the blind curve on Skyline Boulevard where Pre was killed at the age of 24 in the early morning of May 30, 1975, when his sports car overturned, is a solemn spot to those who visit.

Crescent Valley track coach Ted Pawlak stops by each year with a group of young runners during the state high school championships. He wants them to understand the tradition and roots of the sport they are beginning to embrace.

`We run up here every year, and when the kids see all the things that have been left behind, I know they're touched by that,' Pawlak said. `This is always going to be a special place, particularly if you're a runner. These kids have heard so much about Pre, after they visit here, they feel like he's part of their generation, too.'

The shrine itself is a half-ton stone with an inscribed tribute from a running club that Pre founded at the state penitentiary and a photo of the fiery-eyed runner. Running shoes, race numbers, hats, medals, ticket stubs, wristbands and other personal items can be found there.

`Pre was one of...

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