Who will be this generations Pre?

Growing up I would read Kenny Moore’s books such as ‘Bowerman’s men of Oregon” and “Best Efforts: The Long Blue Line” and have the greatest runners of the past crystalized in my mind. I would read about Grete Waitz, Henry Rono, Eamonn Coghlan, Frank Shorter,Jim Ryun, Gerry Lindgrin, Dave Wottle and of course… Steve Prefontaine.

Then there are the more modern warriors that I looked up to while competing in high school; Brian Sell, Ryan Hall, Alan Webb, Ritz, Galen Rupp, Meb, Abdi, Paula Radcliffe… and of course — Bekele and Gebresalasie.

We’re in a new age now, these runners are either retired or nearing the end of their careers and a new batch of runners have ascended to the top.

Much like Usain Bolt, what made Pre special is that he transcended into American culture… not everyone knows who Bekele is but everyone knows about the legend of Steve Prefontaine.

Nowadays — regardless of Track & Field losing cultural currency — our marathoners are as close as ever to being the cultural icons that Pre would have envisioned.

Culture changes over time, but relatability is always what allows an athlete to transcend sport. Pre was a brash, in your face runner who stood up for the rights of his fellow athlete and represented the USA’s next great sporting hope. He drank beer, said what was on his mind, and was the face of the 70’s running boom and counter-culture.