In my dreams…. running around Hayward Field as the crowd cheers. Finishing strong as the timer blinks away the seconds…"People want to come down and jog a lap on Hayward Field and think 'Pre' is running alongside them step by step…" Oregon coach Vin LanannaAll through the last 3 Eugene Marathons, the gates were locked – we could only peer in and wonder...
This year the Eugene Marathon will finish with a lap around this hallowed landmark!
Apparently the original Nike-OTC Marathon in Eugene started and finished on Hayward.
I discovered this tidbit of trivia while standing in a Porta-Potty line-up during the Inaugural Eugene Marathon. (Actually reborn 2007 event.)
A sage looking runner – with head band and baggy shorts said he came up from California for this marathon to reminisce and renew his youth. He had a lot of talk about NIKE and why its headquarters were no longer in Eugene…, but I will save that for another day. He had run the Eugene Marathon in 1982! And running along with him - Joan Benoit ! She set the American record that year with a 2:26:11 and won $20,000!
Other tidbits about Hayward Field:
- It was originally a football field 1919.
- It wasn’t till 1970 that it became just a track and field venue.
- Hosted four US Olympic Track and Field Trials.
- And will be the place for the 2012 Track and Field Olympic Trials!
Image (mine) 2008 Olympic Trials
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