50th Anniversary of Pre’s Trail
Map, June 8, 1980, Register-Guard
Cover of Prefontaine Foundation Brochure, UA 003, Box 35, Folder 14
September 1, 2025, marks the 50th anniversary of the official dedication of Pre’s Trail, a soft-surfaced running trail that has become one of Eugene’s most iconic and beloved landmarks. Nestled within the natural beauty of Alton Baker Park, the bark-chip trail is not only a haven for joggers, walkers, and competitive runners, but also a living tribute to Steve Prefontaine, the legendary University of Oregon distance runner whose passion for running continues to inspire generations.
The trail was the first major project of the Steve Prefontaine Foundation, established shortly after his death, and originally chaired by fellow Olympian Kenny Moore. Built with strong community support, including materials donated by local companies, Pre’s Trail represented a new vision for public fitness and accessible running spaces in Eugene.
Prefontaine was deeply influenced by his travels to Scandinavia, where he admired the running trails commonly used there. His desire to bring a similar experience to runners back home laid the groundwork for the design of the Eugene trail. The final plans were developed by Lane County Parks and Open Space including landscape architects Evald Nielsen and Michael Dooley. The project was also strongly supported by the Oregon Track Club and legendary coach Bill Bowerman, who remarked that the trail had “a cash value beyond estimate,” and fulfilled one of Prefontaine’s ideas to create “running and jogging facilities that can be used by the jogger as well as the gifted athlete” (UA 003, Box 35, Folder 17).
The trail’s inaugural event, the Labor Day Pre’s Trail Run, was organized by Jon Anderson and Geoff Hollister, and included 3k, 5k, and 10k distances. The day before the race community members were cautioned to not be “alarmed by the unusual softness of the bark surface. Over time, they explained, “the 10-inch surface will compact to 2–3 inches for ideal running conditions” (August 31 1975, Register-Guard). Entry fees supported the Prefontaine Foundation for trail operations and maintenance. According to the November/December 1975 issue of the Oregon Track Club newsletter, the race featured top regional talent: “Mike Manley had a half-minute lead as he cruised to a 33:55 win on the flat but soft 10,000 m course. Portland T.C.’s 14-year-old Eryn Forbes, back only a day from the Pan Am Trials, ran away with the women’s 5,000 m, clocking 20:30, more than a minute ahead of OTC’s Lili Ledbetter.”
To mark this important anniversary, you can watch archival footage of the trail’s construction and early use:
Trail construction (1975): Watch here
Labor Day Race (1977): Watch here
Today, Pre’s Trail continues to be a vibrant part of Eugene’s running culture—an enduring tribute to a local hero and a shared legacy of sport, nature, and community.