Why is Pre so famous? He never won gold.

Pre is one of the key people who worked to get athletes money for running. Without Pre, Rupp, and others, would be working real jobs after their running careers ended in their early to mid 20s.

Dying young often propels famous people to legendary status, like Jim Morrison, etc.

whiteboyorwhat?sayit wrote:

Why is Pre so famous? My vote of idolatry goes to Billy Mills. Is it because Pre was a white boy?

HS 8:41 2 mile record anihalation, 13:51 5k.

13:39 AJR which held until Franklyn Sanchez broke it almost 30 years later.

And then his numerous American records leading up to his 4th. He had a good chance at medaling or winning in his second chance. Everyone of his prs were run post 1972 Olympics.

Maybe he'd have never pr'd again, but that seems unlikely. 1975 likely would have brought a sub 13:20 and a 27:30ish if the opp presented itself. It's what he didn't get a chance to do which adds to his lore. But his record for records speaks for itself.

AR at every distance from 2k to 10k at the time of his death.

1) He died young

2) He was charismatic

3) and a drunk.

He had the balls to run in front.

Let's compare The Pre to Nirvana.

Nirvana's entire musical career lasted 7 years.

Pre's entire post-high school career lasted 7 years.

Both were gone at the height of their fame.

This is how legends are created

Gotcha $ wrote:

Pre is one of the key people who worked to get athletes money for running. Without Pre, Rupp, and others, would be working real jobs after their running careers ended in their early to mid 20s.

Uhhh....Rupp? Pretty sure he didnt do sh*t to get runners paid. He did things to get himself paid.

I actually don't think that guy meant Rupp did anything to make sure runners got paid. His placement of commas is a bit confusing.

After Frank Shorter and maybe Bill Rodgers there isn't a more influential American distance runner. Pick up a book, learn something and come back to this message board with something meaningful instead of attempting to rile people up.

"Uhhh....Rupp? Pretty sure he didnt do sh*t to get runners paid. He did things to get himself paid."

I was not aware that Rupp ran for free. Maybe he pays out of his own pocket all of his training expenses, as well.

Pre helped EVERYONE get paid: even your free-running, hero Rupp.

I personally don't think he would have medaled in 72. I do think he would have lowered some (maybe all - except I think he would have concentrated on a few) of his records - especially the 5k as it had leveled off for a number of years. I think the roots of his 'charisma' lie in the fact that he (almost?) always spoke his mind and unilaterally spoke his mind when he perceived the T&F community was getting the short end of the stick from the powers that be. He was at the forefront of giving the athletes their share ... (precursor to professionalism). The other thing (I think) was that he was ultra dedicated to his sport ... taking a break after the 72 games because of the pain. From what I've heard he was a very pleasant and down to earth guy - unless he was put in a corner - which happened per above. For the USA he was a runner's runner.

Boy? He is famous cause he was 12 at one time? Who would have thought!! Learn something everyday boy.

whiteboyorwhat?sayit wrote:

Why is Pre so famous? My vote of idolatry goes to Billy Mills. Is it because Pre was a white boy?

Ran for the name brand school. Record holder 2k thru 10k. Ran gutsy races, arrogant trash talker. Died young.

realitycheck wrote:

3) and a drunk.

Thanks. Your opinion is held by many.

Pre would have been 64 today had he lived.

I hate these "Pre" threads because of people like you. A family lost a son that day. It was a poor decision to drive.

Isabelle's dad wrote:

realitycheck wrote:

3) and a drunk.

Thanks. Your opinion is held by many.

Pre would have been 64 today had he lived.

I hate these "Pre" threads because of people like you. A family lost a son that day. It was a poor decision to drive.

I've driven drunk and never had an accident yet I've been involved in 3 major accidents in 40 years of driving when I was stone cold sober. In the 70's there was no open container law, we didn't try to hide the beer from cops even when we were underage and we didn't wear seat belts. If you are older than 45 theres a good chance your mom took diet pills and smoked when she was pregnant. My first cross country meet and my first time on an airplane smoking was allowed. It was a different time and as bad as it looks now that's just how it was.

Yeah, that was my poorly written point.

A family lost a son and people want to keep writing about it.

Enough is enough.

Because his coach started a big shoe company that made a martyr of him.

/thread