Pre's Rock

[trig]

I just got back from a walk that went by Pre's rock. There were many items scattered there - running shoes, socks,and hats, 2 high school and 1 Howard University ID cards, many race numbers from the junior Olys, race medals, and of course a February 2004 copy of T&FN.

[twittering debutante]

Re: Pre's Rock

Have never had any desire to go there, despite having been in Eugene many times. Pre's life is what I remember.

[slappy]

Re: Pre's Rock

It is a good reminder to all kids and adults. If you get wasted on booze and you crash into a rock , you die. Posting a good 5k time prior to getting drunk won't matter.

[Usher]

Re: Pre's Rock

I went to school in Eugene in the summer of 1981, and ran up by the accident site one day. At that time, someone had scratched "RIP Pre" on the rock and that was it. I've seen pix of what's been done there and frankly, I liked the simplicity of what I saw back then better than the shrine-like aura now. But that's just me.

[MJD]

Re: Pre's Rock

I often run by a spot near Ellicottville, NY where a 39 year old mother/runner of a 10 year old got hit and killed by a drunk almost exactly 3 years ago and there is a cross there and teddy bears, flowers, golf balls and a few other things get left there all the time. When you figure that she lived about 50 miles from there, it is quite a tribute. Puts a smile on my face every time I run by there.

[No Name]

Re: Pre's Rock

<<It is a good reminder to all kids and adults. If you get wasted on booze and you crash into a rock , you die. Posting a good 5k time prior to getting drunk won't matter.>>

This is worded a bit harshly, but I agree with the principle. Pre was certainly a great runner, perhaps that best ever U.S. distance runner.

However, the way he died should not be forgotten, but should be remembered as an extreme example of what not to do.

[Mr.B.]

Re: Pre's Rock

some photos

http://home.earthlink.net/~alysons/coin.html

[Zat0pek]

Re: Pre's Rock

This is a website that posts pictures of the graves of well-known people. Kinda bizzare, but kind of interesting to see some as well. Here's Pre's:

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cg ... refontaine

Click the pictures for larger shot of his tombstone.

[Zat0pek]

Re: Pre's Rock

Jesse Owens has a huge tombstone.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cg ... 27%20Owens

[gh]

Re: Pre's Rock

Note the upside-down Olympic rings on Pre's marker. Wonder if that's just a glitch or some kind of symbolism?

[runninfool]

Re: Pre's Rock

Should we be so quick to blame Pre for his death? I thought no one really knew what happened, and even if Pre was drinking, he may have been unable to prevent the crash.

[Asterix]

Re: Pre's Rock

<<Should we be so quick to blame Pre for his death? I thought no one really knew what happened, and even if Pre was drinking, he may have been unable to prevent the crash.>>

Single vehicle crash with alcohol involved. Playing the odds, I think it's safe to say he was responsible.

[Zat0pek]

Re: Pre's Rock

>Note the upside-down Olympic rings on Pre's marker. Wonder if that's just a
>glitch or some kind of symbolism?

Or a possible attempt to avoid copyright infringement?

[Husky Dude]

Re: Pre's Rock

I can just see the USOC trademark goons now, at the gravesite, armed with a hammer and chisel....

[MJD]

Re: Pre's Rock

Don't tell anyone.