Pre's Trail, Running trail in Eugene, Oregon, US
Pre's Trail is a running trail in Alton Baker Park in Eugene, Oregon, following the north bank of the Willamette River through three connected loops. The surface is made of wood chips, and the full network covers about 4 miles (6.5 km), giving runners the option to go short or long depending on their goals.
The trail was created in 1975 through a partnership between Lane County, the Oregon Track Club, and coach Bill Bowerman, who is also known as a co-founder of Nike. It was built in response to Eugene's growing reputation as a center for distance running in the US.
Pre's Trail takes its name from Steve Prefontaine, the Oregon-born runner who trained in Eugene and became a symbol of the sport in the US. Runners who come here today often feel a connection to that legacy simply by being on the same ground.
The trail can be reached from three parking areas near Autzen Stadium, and maps are posted at each main entrance. The loops are clearly signed throughout, so it is easy to find your way even on a first visit.
Part of the trail runs over a former landfill that was converted into parkland before the path was laid down. The wood chip surface was chosen in part to manage the uneven ground that this kind of site tends to leave behind.
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