But those times, and this Oregon Twilight race, will always be remembered as Steve Prefontaine’s last. Early the next morning, Oregon’s idol and America’s premier track athlete died in a one-car crash not far from the University of Oregon. Today, as usual, the race Pre would run would be the last scheduled, the feature.

During his junior and senior years at Marshfield High School, Prefontaine went undefeated in both cross country and track. ^ "Olympedia – Steve Prefontaine". ^ abcdefNewnham, Blaine; Mack, Don (May 30, 1975). "Pre's death the end of an era". Eugene Register-Guard. p. 1A. ^ abcd Moore, Kenny (June 9, 1975). "A final drive to the finish".

"The Legend Lives On: Even though Steve Prefontaine died almost 10 years ago, the memory of his life and controversy surrounding his death are as alive as ever". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 12, 2013. ^ Frei, Dave (May 31, 1975).

That September OTC event in the fall of 1974 was the last cross-country race of Prefontaine’s career. Less than a year later he tragically lost his life in an auto accident near Eugene.