Pre's Trail, and His Rock

It's either left or right as I emerge from the hotel and onto the road. Having studied Google Maps, I confidently choose right and begin my run along Franklin Blvd., looking for the trail.

I'm in Eugene, and yes, I know I shouldn't be running. But I'm in Eugene. Isn't running a requirement here? I'm looking for a trail that goes through a small park, crosses the Willamette River, and then intersects Pre's Trail on the other side. It didn't look far. But I don't find the trail. Or the park.

I venture down some residential streets, and I eventually come to a sign that says, 'Pre's Rock,' with an arrow.  I don't know whether Pre's Rock is close to his trail, or even what Pre's Rock is. (Maybe something he ran up to and touched or something?) But I figure I may as well check it out since I'm having no luck with anything else.

Time for a brief interlude about Pre. Steve Prefontaine is a running phenom from the 1970s and a hero to many American runners. But here in Eugene, where he attended the University of Oregon, he's nearly a god. Pre accomplished some great feats in his short career, but then he did the one thing necessary to become a legend: he died. A car crash ended his life while he was much too young.

This winding hill would be tough even if I were a real runner. In my present condition, I'm huffing and puffing, yet barely shuffling. The hill goes on and on, but I eventually emerge near the top and then turn right onto Skyline Blvd. That's when I see it: Pre's Rock. And I immediately know what it is. Pre's Rock is not something he ran to; it's where his fatal car crash occurred. It's now a shrine, festooned with all kinds of memorabilia about Pre.

Well, that was unexpected. After my stop, I run back down the hill and back over to the hotel. When I arrive, I see right away that the paved trail that leads to Pre's trail goes the other way. I take it.

It's just a short way through the small park. In the process, I go through a tunnel. There are some homeless people in there, having an engaging conversation. I avoid them as much as possible by running through the other side of the underpass. A bit further on, I come to a pedestrian bridge that goes across the river. It's pretty cool to go across in the dark. On the other side, I encounter a whole bunch of trails leading in various directions.

One of them is the famous Pre's Trail, where he did much of his running. I run on it a little, but by now it's time to return back to the hotel. Pre's Trail is covered with pine needles, and it's very soft. It seems like a great running surface. I only wish I could run on it some more.

I'm getting back to the Holiday Inn Express, and my watch tells me that I've only run a little over 5K. It seems like it should be longer, but I decide that I'll take it. It's what Pre would do.

Pre's Rock and His Trail