Here's Track Town Pizza near the university. Unfortunately it didn't look like it serve by the slice so I didn't try out the pizza...

Eugene, OR

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On the way up to Portland, Oregon, for the Foot Traffic Flat Marathon, I stopped in Eugene for a dose of inspiration. This college town (3rd largest city in Oregon) is known as “Track City USA” due to the number of track legends that have come from here, including Bill Bowerman (co-founder of Nike), Phil Knight (the other co-founder and current Nike CEO), Bill Delinger, Steve Prefontaine, Frank Shorter, Alberto Salazar, etc. To my delight, the University of Oregon even had posted a tribute to Bowerman, Delinger, and Prefontaine at Hayward field sometime since my last visit there in 2003.

For me, this was one of the highlights of my visit. In the summer, Eugene is remarkably quiet. The town kind of reminded me of Davis, California in this regard. I guess at this time of year, all of the college students were elsewhere…

And so it felt very much like a family-oriented town. At least the weather at this time of year was very nice! And there are numerous running trails, not surprising for a running mecca.

In July Eugene still is very green (in fact I’m not sure if there’s a time of year when it’s not), and this made for wonderful sports car driving outside the town. I only wish I found Skyline Blvd. and Pre’s Rock (where Steve Prefontaine spent his last moments of life under the crushing weight of him MGB), but alas, I did not do my homework in advance…

For a dose of inspiration before the Foot Traffic Flat Marathon in Portland, I stopped at Hayward Field in Eugene where legends were born.
For a dose of inspiration before the Foot Traffic Flat Marathon in Portland, I stopped at Hayward Field in Eugene where legends were born.
In 2004, the University of Oregon posted stories of Hayward Field and the legends it spawned. Here is Felix Wong standing by a photo of Bill Bowerman, co-founder of Nike. Legend has it he made the soles of the first Nike shoes with his wife's waffle iron.
In 2004, the University of Oregon posted stories of Hayward Field and the legends it spawned. Here is Felix Wong standing by a photo of Bill Bowerman, co-founder of Nike. Legend has it he made the soles of the first Nike shoes with his wife's waffle iron.
Here is a tribute to Steve Prefontaine, who at one time held every American record for 2-10,000 meters.
Here is a tribute to Steve Prefontaine, who at one time held every American record for 2-10,000 meters.
At least a hundred plaques were also displayed for every University of Oregon alumnus who either set an American or World Record, or an Olympic medal.
At least a hundred plaques were also displayed for every University of Oregon alumnus who either set an American or World Record, or an Olympic medal.
Here's Track Town Pizza near the university. Unfortunately it didn't look like it serve by the slice so I didn't try out the pizza...
Here's Track Town Pizza near the university. Unfortunately it didn't look like it serve by the slice so I didn't try out the pizza...
I think this home went for ~$350,000?
I think this home went for ~$350,000?
Some of the many running trails included ones by the Willamette River.
Some of the many running trails included ones by the Willamette River.
A trail in a densely forested area that nevertheless was near downtown!
A trail in a densely forested area that nevertheless was near downtown!
Here's downtown.
Here's downtown.
To the east made wonderful sports car driving, and surely cycling (or running) as well.
To the east made wonderful sports car driving, and surely cycling (or running) as well.
Smooth and picturesque roads galore.
Smooth and picturesque roads galore.