Man, this guy was just awesome. Every single race he ran it like his life was on the line. Whether it was the Olympics or a random exhibition meet, Pre never took a race for granted. His running, and also his personality and interviews, exuded charisma and aura. They don't make em like Pre anymore. RIP absolute legend of the game
Pre is another reason why I became a runner and why I enjoy running. I’m not fast, or Olympic type, but I love the sport. I did 3 years of Track and Cross Country in high school and I was mediocre and happy with most races and competitions. Now much older, I still continue running, but also because it keeps me happy and healthy. For fun, I did some half marathons, 5ks and 10ks. Half marathons were the greatest experience so far, it seems longer distance is funner in my opinion. I also recommend running to anyone and to try it out. Thanks to runners and especially Pre, you are a legend!!!
Absolutely. Most of his records are broken now, but if he had the training, coaching, technology and diet todays athletes have, he would have been the greatest ever. I mean, people ran with freakin stop watches in their freakin pocket for distance runs.
HE RAN 20 PLUS MILES AN HOUR, HERE!!! Lesson I learned from Pre!!! The crappiest, you feel, when you wake up...the BETTER YOU RUN!!! HE NEVER, EVER, MISSED A PRACTICE!!!
If he was alive today people would have loved him. My friend, Carolyn Walker, trained with him and lived with him and his girlfriend. She shared many stories about him and showed me many mementos. She lives in humility now. Pre's passing had a profound effect on her. She loved him. She told me that he told her that she was the most like him of any runner he had met.
Adrian Metcalfe (caller) was a world class athlete himself. Indeed an Olympic silver medallist. Sadly in poor health today. Hats off to Pre - always a guttsy front runner. If you beat him you had to want it more than him. RIP.
I was at track practice (HS) in NJ, and remember hearing about Ryun running a sub 4 mile in HS. Marty Liquori went to Roselle Catholic (I think) and was "the guy" in Jersey at the time. Pre was my all-time favorite runner, though I did alot of roadracing in HI, while in the Navy, and had the privilege of running with, and getting to know, Max Telford of NZ....Great guy!
I was at this event, my first indoor track meet. It was at the Forum in Inglewood, CA. I believe Mary Decker was also there, running for the Blue Angels TC from Orange County. Fabulous night. Also got to watch some great high school runners that night as well. I think the track was the same length as the old Sunkist Games track, 1/6 of a mile. It took 11 laps to complete a mile. Most indoor tracks today are 200 meters and a lot easier to follow.
I've been to the Sunkist Games (in the '80's) ...We saw (among others) Sergey Bubka, Eamonn Coghlan, and I believe Mary Decker.... The next day at a bar/restaurant I was a doorman at my partner wouldn't let in a couple-because one of them had no ID. I turned to look and saw it was Coghlan! Needles to say, they got in :)..... good memories
Watch, "Fire On The Track!" Pre DID NOT WANT TO DO, the 3 Mile...too uneventful!!! Bill Bowerman, told him to make it EVENTFUL AND MAKE THEM CARE!! I drive by, Murray / Bowerman Lane, Tigard, OR TWICE A DAY!!! RIP PRE! I WAS LUCKY TO WATCH YOU RUN, AT HEYWOOD FIELD, 1971, BEFORE, the WORLD KNEW, YOUR NAME!!!
Being an Oregonian, I was BLESSED, TO WATCH PRE RUN AND MARY DECKER SLAYNEY RUN!!!! AMAZING RUNNERS! HE IS RUNNING 20 PLUS MILES AN HOUR!!! NOT EVEN, THE 6 MILLION DOLLAR MAN, COULD RUN THAT FAST!!!
NOT when he was 21, in the Olympics!!! They were ALL SUB 4 MILERS IN THAT, AMAZING RUN!!! I DO NOT EVEN KNOW THE GOLD, SILVER OR BRONZE WINNERS!!! PRE, HAD GUTS AND RAN FOR THE GOLD!!! ALL OR NOTHING!!! HE MADE THAT RACE, REMEMBER ABLE!!! AND EXCITING!!! GUTS AND GLORY!!! HE CAME IN 4TH PLACE, IN THE WORLD, AT 21 YEARS OLD, THAT DAY!!! Watch, "Fire On The Track!" Witness PRE, as a, "Rookie Runner" AND THE HUMBLE BEGINNINGS, OF NIKE!!! MADE FROM BILL BOWERMAN'S, WIFE'S WAFFLE IRON, AND PHIL KNIGHT, WHO WAS HIS COACH!!! Mr. Bowerman, called Phil, "A MEDIUM RUNNER!" Phil started Nike, in his Mother's laundry room!!! Phil needed a Logo! He went to Portland State University! Hired a Gal, enrolled in DESIGN SCHOOL, TO HELP MAKE, "A CHECKMARK!!!" I believe he paid her, for 17 and 1/2 hours...$35 DOLLARS!!! She wanted to earn enough $$$ to buy a Prom Dress!!! THE SWOOSH, IS AN ICON!!! IT SAYS IT ALL...WORLDWIDE!!! EVERYONE KNOWS, that, the "Checkmark/Swoosh...IS NIKE!!! NO CONFUSION AT ALL!!!
Cannot support top three all time no world records nor Olympic medals - does not mean not the best Jim Ryun did not win at the Olympics. My own 3 and it is a personal choice is: Paavo Nurmi, Henry Rono, and Emile Zatopec. Not necessarily in that order. These for distance runner. Sprinters a whole different list.
Man, this guy was just awesome. Every single race he ran it like his life was on the line. Whether it was the Olympics or a random exhibition meet, Pre never took a race for granted. His running, and also his personality and interviews, exuded charisma and aura. They don't make em like Pre anymore. RIP absolute legend of the game
That was amazing. You never see that kind of running these days. Love the spirit of Pre.
Pre is another reason why I became a runner and why I enjoy running. I’m not fast, or Olympic type, but I love the sport. I did 3 years of Track and Cross Country in high school and I was mediocre and happy with most races and competitions. Now much older, I still continue running, but also because it keeps me happy and healthy. For fun, I did some half marathons, 5ks and 10ks. Half marathons were the greatest experience so far, it seems longer distance is funner in my opinion. I also recommend running to anyone and to try it out. Thanks to runners and especially Pre, you are a legend!!!
All these years later…I still rank him in my top three athletes of all time.
Absolutely. Most of his records are broken now, but if he had the training, coaching, technology and diet todays athletes have, he would have been the greatest ever. I mean, people ran with freakin stop watches in their freakin pocket for distance runs.
and the epo??@@combatbeatdown
Ok, but if you're going to make such a statement, who are the others on that list???
I’d put Wilt Chamberlain up there!@@leonardodalongisland
HE RAN 20 PLUS MILES AN HOUR, HERE!!! Lesson I learned from Pre!!! The crappiest, you feel, when you wake up...the BETTER YOU RUN!!! HE NEVER, EVER, MISSED A PRACTICE!!!
Um no, 15 miles an hour. Lad, you were not a math major were you?
If he was alive today people would have loved him. My friend, Carolyn Walker, trained with him and lived with him and his girlfriend. She shared many stories about him and showed me many mementos. She lives in humility now. Pre's passing had a profound effect on her. She loved him. She told me that he told her that she was the most like him of any runner he had met.
high praise, coming from Pre...awesome..
Adrian Metcalfe (caller) was a world class athlete himself. Indeed an Olympic silver medallist. Sadly in poor health today. Hats off to Pre - always a guttsy front runner. If you beat him you had to want it more than him. RIP.
I was at track practice (HS) in NJ, and remember hearing about Ryun running a sub 4 mile in HS. Marty Liquori went to Roselle Catholic (I think) and was "the guy" in Jersey at the time. Pre was my all-time favorite runner, though I did alot of roadracing in HI, while in the Navy, and had the privilege of running with, and getting to know, Max Telford of NZ....Great guy!
Marty is third"cousin of mine. I'm second generation from Brooklyn-Long Island-where my brothers and I ran T&F.
Fucking Legend. He had everything, charm, charisma, Good looks, Good cockiness n attitude n above Heart. Just Do It.
he sure did, some guys had it all. speed kills, stupidity kills, those with youth can hasten the kill.
I was at this event, my first indoor track meet. It was at the Forum in Inglewood, CA. I believe Mary Decker was also there, running for the Blue Angels TC from Orange County. Fabulous night. Also got to watch some great high school runners that night as well. I think the track was the same length as the old Sunkist Games track, 1/6 of a mile. It took 11 laps to complete a mile. Most indoor tracks today are 200 meters and a lot easier to follow.
I've been to the Sunkist Games (in the '80's) ...We saw (among others) Sergey Bubka, Eamonn Coghlan, and I believe Mary Decker.... The next day at a bar/restaurant I was a doorman at my partner wouldn't let in a couple-because one of them had no ID. I turned to look and saw it was Coghlan! Needles to say, they got in :)..... good memories
Wow, I forgot how tight those turns were on the old indoor tracks. I do remember how flimsy the boards were.
Nothing Like running on those tight "Boards"!! Armor-NYC
Dude was gifted🖖😎
Pre is the man
...and everyone on your list did one thing Pre did not do....live to be in your prime.
Watch, "Fire On The Track!" Pre DID NOT WANT TO DO, the 3 Mile...too uneventful!!! Bill Bowerman, told him to make it EVENTFUL AND MAKE THEM CARE!! I drive by, Murray / Bowerman Lane, Tigard, OR TWICE A DAY!!! RIP PRE! I WAS LUCKY TO WATCH YOU RUN, AT HEYWOOD FIELD, 1971, BEFORE, the WORLD KNEW, YOUR NAME!!!
Hayward Field, not Heywood Field.....
Being an Oregonian, I was BLESSED, TO WATCH PRE RUN AND MARY DECKER SLAYNEY RUN!!!! AMAZING RUNNERS! HE IS RUNNING 20 PLUS MILES AN HOUR!!! NOT EVEN, THE 6 MILLION DOLLAR MAN, COULD RUN THAT FAST!!!
Um, once again you are way off. A 4 minute flat mile is exactly 15 miles an hour, not 20.....
He knew his opponents well
NOT when he was 21, in the Olympics!!! They were ALL SUB 4 MILERS IN THAT, AMAZING RUN!!! I DO NOT EVEN KNOW THE GOLD, SILVER OR BRONZE WINNERS!!! PRE, HAD GUTS AND RAN FOR THE GOLD!!! ALL OR NOTHING!!! HE MADE THAT RACE, REMEMBER ABLE!!! AND EXCITING!!! GUTS AND GLORY!!! HE CAME IN 4TH PLACE, IN THE WORLD, AT 21 YEARS OLD, THAT DAY!!! Watch, "Fire On The Track!" Witness PRE, as a, "Rookie Runner" AND THE HUMBLE BEGINNINGS, OF NIKE!!! MADE FROM BILL BOWERMAN'S, WIFE'S WAFFLE IRON, AND PHIL KNIGHT, WHO WAS HIS COACH!!! Mr. Bowerman, called Phil, "A MEDIUM RUNNER!" Phil started Nike, in his Mother's laundry room!!! Phil needed a Logo! He went to Portland State University! Hired a Gal, enrolled in DESIGN SCHOOL, TO HELP MAKE, "A CHECKMARK!!!" I believe he paid her, for 17 and 1/2 hours...$35 DOLLARS!!! She wanted to earn enough $$$ to buy a Prom Dress!!! THE SWOOSH, IS AN ICON!!! IT SAYS IT ALL...WORLDWIDE!!! EVERYONE KNOWS, that, the "Checkmark/Swoosh...IS NIKE!!! NO CONFUSION AT ALL!!!
Guts
Had he not been in that car wreck he would have worked up to the marathon and beyond and would have kept up with the Kenyans.
He'd have won the 1500 meter race in the '72 olympics if he ran smarter.
it was inexperience...
Cannot support top three all time no world records nor Olympic medals - does not mean not the best Jim Ryun did not win at the Olympics. My own 3 and it is a personal choice is: Paavo Nurmi, Henry Rono, and Emile Zatopec. Not necessarily in that order. These for distance runner. Sprinters a whole different list.
...I would hope so.