6/24/08

EUGENE — Nick Symmonds feels a kinship with legendary Oregon distance runner Steve Prefontaine.

Every time Symmonds steps on the track at Hayward Field, he thinks about how Prefontaine symbolized "what it's like to race with passion." Symmonds visits "Pre's Rock," the site of Prefontaine's death in a car crash 33 years ago, for inspiration.

At 5-foot-10, 160 pounds, Symmonds is similar in physical stature to Prefontaine. He tries to emulate Prefontaine's work ethic, and shares Pre's insatiable desire to run fast.