Prefontaine Classic


The Prefontaine Classic, an Oregon Track Club event, is one of the premier track and field meets in the United States, held in Eugene, Oregon. Every year it draws a world caliber field to compete at Hayward Field on the campus of the University of Oregon. Previously one of the IAAF Grand Prix events, it is now part of the Diamond League. The meet is one of the few international competitions to host the imperial distances of the Mile run and 2 Mile run.

History

The first Prefontaine Classic was held in 1975. The meet had its genesis with the Hayward Restoration Meets of 1973-74. The Hayward Restoration meets were launched to help replace the deteriorated wooden West Grandstands at Hayward Field. It was to become the "Bowerman Classic" in 1975 to honor longtime University of Oregon track coach Bill Bowerman, and was scheduled for June 7. With the unexpected death of University of Oregon distance runner and Olympian Steve Prefontaine in an automobile accident on May 30, the Oregon Track Club changed the name, with Bowerman's approval, on June 1; the first "Pre Classic" was held six days later. Nike has been the primary sponsor since 1978.
The 2019 edition moved to Stanford’s Cobb Track and Angell Field, Palo Alto, California because of restoration of Hayward Field in anticipation of the IAAF World Athletics Championships in 2021.
The 2020 edition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

World records

Over the course of its history, four world records have been set at the Prefontaine Classic.
YearEventRecordAthleteNationalityRef
201130 km 1:26:47.4Moses Mosop
201125 km 1:12:25.4+Moses Mosop
19825,000 m15:08.26Mary Decker Slaney
1975220 yard dash19.92Don Quarrie

Notable performances and records

Alan Webb's high school record

At the 2001 Prefontaine Classic, Alan Webb ran 3:53.43 in the Bowerman Mile and broke Jim Ryun's national high school record that had stood for 36 years. This was also the fastest mile by an American in three years.

Maria Mutola in the 800 m

won 16 consecutive women's 800 m races at the Pre Classic.

Meet records

Men

Women