Prefontaine's Oregon HS 2-Mile Record Still Stands

The splits say Gorze ran the 5th and 6th laps in 53/81, so he was probably just getting a fartlek in. Crazy that record is still standing after all the Oregon greats that came after. Didn't Rupp split like 8:45 2 miles into his 5k record? Kinda surprised he never ran a faster 2 mile.

Split times in error . . . per Ty's recent Dyestat video interview, he was going after Pre's record.

8:46.50 2-mile means approx 8:43-low for 3200m . . . which makes the Arcadia results that much more impressive . . .

Solo, in the rain. I'm sure he can run faster. Wouldn't be shocked to see him drop a 28:40 later this season.

Pre also ran his solo, cinder track, no super spikes, 1969

those are wrong. i watched it and I recall him being about 4:18 at 1 mile but then laps slowed to high 60s

Why in the heck with 24+ runners they couldn't have someone take Gorze out in 4:20, preferably 6:30!?!

Why not 28:30?

Oregon kids have been racing 3000m in state for many years, so not many chances to beat Pre's 2M record since they changed over. I think Pre ran a few 3k races and had an Oregon record that Rupp beat when he ran 8:03 3k at one point.

Pre: yet another high school great who never ran a 1600 nor 3200. Ryun, Lindgren, Chapa, Rupp, Verzbikas.... the list goes on.

Someone has to beat that record. It's cool and all that Pre owns it but it's time to let his legacy exist through the Prefontaine Classic. With today's technology the old records should be dissolved. I have held my college 10,000m record for 19 years now and I was rooting for a prodigy on the team to beat the record he came up short but still today's technology should easily beat the old record.

I guess no sleepy time signal for Ty after the race?

ya right

I don't get this. I think anyone with any knowledge of the sport would know that if some kid in 2023 wearing super shoes on an all-weather track ran 8:41.5, that Pre's run was nevertheless highly superior. That the record continues to elude the current generation should be cause to further celebrate the quality of the runner from the past. You don't just wipe away a record because advances in tech make you nervous. It will be broken when it's broken, no reason at all to start a new record board.

I was there. Gorze was not doing a fartlek. He hammered the whole way, solo, in the rain and was going for it. He was not happy to miss the record. He got a lot of love from the fans and a big win, but not record. Hats off to him for giving it a really good shot. 2M is not just 3200, btw, so this time is actually better than it looks...

For historical perspective, back in 1969, Pre ran all his school's duel meets that season (always doubling - one all-out race, one cruise effort). He ran on crappy tracks and against few rivals. But he trained specifically to his goals of 1:52, 3:56, 8:40 --- so it wasn't like he just stumbled upon these kind of results. His coach, McClure, was knowledgeable and qualified for this project.

Last night, Gorze had the best track in the world (and the best shoes), but didn't really have anyone to run with either. He has the talent and coaching he needs. There are a lot of similarities to be honest.

p.s. I am HUGE Gorze fan, so this is not meant as a slight on him that he couldn't beat a Pre record. It just shocks me how fast Pre was running over 50 years ago (in leather spikes on cinder tracks).

He did split 4:20 at the mile. He was under at halfway... But yes, he was doing ALL the work from the very, very beginning (just like Pre though).

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The link indicates Gorze is 19 years old. What's his DOB? Are 19-year-olds even eligible to snatch HS state or national records?

19 before graduating is old for a HS'er in any year. If this is indeed the case. Doesn't mean he is not a great runner..he surely is.

He turns 19 in November.