A lot of people run a race to see who is fastest. I run to see who has the most guts, who can punish himself into exhausting pace, and then at the end, punish himself even more.

Nike used video footage in a commercial titled "Pre Lives" advertising his spirit for their product. The Pete Susick Stadium at Marshfield High School dedicated their track to honor Prefontaine in April 2001. S.

Prefontaine died in May 1975 at the age of 24 in a DWI auto accident. Prefontaine once held the American record in the seven distance track events from the 2000 meters to the 10000 meters. Prefontaine Frank Shorter and Bill Rodgers generated considerable media coverage which helped inspire the 1970s "running boom".