Title Image - Quotes by Author Steve PrefontainePhoto Credit: WikiMedia Commons

Welcome to our collection of quotes (with shareable picture quotes) by Steve Prefontaine. We hope you enjoy pondering them and that you will share them widely.

Wikipedia Summary for Steve Prefontaine

Steve Roland "Pre" Prefontaine (January 25, 1951 – May 30, 1975) was an American long-distance runner who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics. While running for the Oregon Track Club, Prefontaine set American records at every distance from 2,000 to 10,000 meters, as he prepared for the 1976 Olympics. Prefontaine's career, alongside those of Jim Ryun, Frank Shorter, and Bill Rodgers, generated considerable media coverage, which helped inspire the 1970s "running boom." He died when aged 24 in an automobile accident near his residence in Eugene, Oregon. One of the premier track meets in the world, the Prefontaine Classic, is held annually in Eugene in his honor. Prefontaine's celebrity and charisma later resulted in two 1990s feature films about his short life.

I don't care about being on television.

--Steve Prefontaine

What does it prove, running in the AAU meet?

--Steve Prefontaine

It doesn't feel that good when you're ahead the whole way.

--Steve Prefontaine

If you can make money with your talents, why not?

--Steve Prefontaine

It's hard to run a mile when you're not a miler and to kick when you've led all the way.

--Steve Prefontaine

The AAU doesn't care about the athletes; why should I care about them?

--Steve Prefontaine

I knew I had to show everybody that I could excel at something. But I didn't know what.

--Steve Prefontaine

The idea of losing the three at Hayward Field and the idea of losing my specialty to someone who wasn't running his specialty. Mostly, the idea of losing in front of my people. They haven't forgotten about me.

--Steve Prefontaine

Why shouldn't I do what I want to do... I'm an American citizen.

--Steve Prefontaine

I can endure more pain then anyone you've met. That's why I win, because I can endure more pain.

--Steve Prefontaine

I don't just go out there and run. I like to give people watching something exciting.

--Steve Prefontaine

You cannot propel yourself forward by patting yourself on the back.

--Steve Prefontaine

If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail.

--Steve Prefontaine

Having a true faith is the most difficult thing in the world. Many will try to take it from you.

--Steve Prefontaine

If I want to go to Europe and get thrashed by the Europeans, that's my business. Every race I lose I learn from and get tougher.

--Steve Prefontaine

Running gives me confidence.

--Steve Prefontaine

What kind of crazy nut would spend two or three hours a day just running?

--Steve Prefontaine

I have a positive mental attitude, and I think I'm divine, but I also think it takes a heck of a lot of blood, sweat and tears.

--Steve Prefontaine

This is my last year at Oregon, and it means a lot to me. The people have been great to me up there, so if I have to run three races to win the Pac-8 title, I'll do it. Oh, sure, I'll probably be tired, but the people shouting will carry me across the finish line.

--Steve Prefontaine

Don't be afraid to give up the good for the great.

--Steve Prefontaine

It's not who's the best -- it's who can take the most pain.

--Steve Prefontaine

To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.

--Steve Prefontaine

I run to see who has the most guts.

--Steve Prefontaine

How does a kid from Coos Bay, with one leg longer than the other win races?

--Steve Prefontaine

Longer Version:

How does a kid from Coos Bay, with one leg longer than the other win races? All my life people have been telling me, 'You're too small Pre', 'You're not fast enough Pre', 'Give up your foolish dream Steve'. But they forgot something, I HAVE TO WIN.


I like to be able to go out to dinner once in a while. I like to be able to drive my MG up the McKenzie River on a weekday afternoon. I like to be able to pay my bills on time.

--Steve Prefontaine

To hell with love of country -- I compete for myself.

--Steve Prefontaine

You probably choose x-country because you were too small to play football.

--Steve Prefontaine

A race is a work of art that people can look at and be affected in as many ways they're capable of understanding.

--Steve Prefontaine

What I want is to be number one.

--Steve Prefontaine

Something inside of me just said 'Hey, wait a minute, I want to beat him,' and I just took off.

--Steve Prefontaine

My philosophy is that I'm an artist. I perform an art not with a paint brush or a camera. I perform with bodily movement. Instead of exhibiting my art in a museum or a book or on canvas, I exhibit my art in front of the multitudes.

--Steve Prefontaine

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Motivational Quotes

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