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2006 National Trails Awards Program <br /> Trails for Health Award Nomination <br /> Pre's Trail <br /> Eugene, Oregon <br /> For over 30 years, Pre's Trail in Eugene, Oregon has been a much -loved <br /> resource for runners and walkers throughout the community. Since its <br /> inception, the trail has been cared for through a partnership between a <br /> local citizen group and the City of Eugene, and has recently undergone <br /> sweeping improvements just in time for the City's hosting of the 2008 <br /> Olympic Trials. <br /> History <br /> Eugene, Oregon has long held the nickname "Track Town USA" for its <br /> extensive track and field history and the community's love of the sport. <br /> Runners crisscross the city throughout the year and in the spring and <br /> summer roaring crowds pack Hayward Field for local and national meets. <br /> Over the years, Eugene has played host to the 1972, '76 and '80 Olympic <br /> Trials and two USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. In 2008, the City <br /> will be honored once again with the opportunity to host the Olympic Trials. <br /> Eugene's track history was shaped by the arrival of the now legendary <br /> Steve Prefontaine "Pre" in 1968. During his time at the University of Oregon <br /> Pre was the American record holder in every distance from 2,000 to 10,000 <br /> meters. During one of his trips to Europe, Pre had a chance to try out their <br /> soft running surface trails and when he returned, hoped to create such a <br /> system in his own community. His initial efforts in 1973 to persuade the <br /> County to pay for construction of the trail were unsuccessful, but he <br /> persisted. Tragically, Pre died in a car accident in 1975. After his death, <br /> Lane County worked closely with the Oregon Track Club and University of <br /> Oregon track coach Bill Bowerman to design and build Pre's Trail which <br /> winds its way, through Alton -Baker Park and features the resilient surface <br /> Pre had hoped for. Four months after his death, 500 runners competed in <br /> a run in memory of Pre on the newly - completed four -mile course and <br /> three decades later on the 30th Anniversary of the trail, the Oregon Track <br /> Club held the 8 kilometer Prefontaine Trail Restoration Run & Walk to help <br /> fund efforts to improve and maintain the trail. <br /> Today <br /> Pre's Trail stretches out over five miles and links up with large system of <br /> riverside bicycle and walking trails. The trail is a much -loved resource for <br /> local runners and walkers and draws visitors from across the country and <br /> around the world. The wood -chip trail runs along the Willamette River and <br />