Of all the athletes Nike has celebrated, there’s only one they made a statue of.
It’s not Michael Jordan. Not Tiger. Not Serena. Not Federer.
It’s rockstar rebel runner Steve Prefontaine.
“Fire on the Track” is the best Prefontaine documentary I’ve found.
I also rank it #1 on my list of “Best Running Documentaries” (up to 15!).
Trailer for “Fire on the Track: The Steve Prefontaine Story”
Watch “Fire on the Track: The Steve Prefontaine Story”
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXF0MxTwNys&t=18s
You can watch “Fire on the Track: The Steve Prefontaine Story” for free on YouTube by clicking the video embed above. A backup link is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ghnepo096Q
Ratings:
- My Rating: 91/100
- IMDB Rating: 8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: na
Release Date: 1995
My Review of “Fire on the Track: The Steve Prefontaine Story”
Steve Prefontaine lived fast, ran hard, and rewrote the rules of American distance running.
“Fire on the Track: The Steve Prefontaine Story” is a gripping dive into the life and career of one of track and field’s most charismatic and tragic figures.
Directed by Erich Lyttle and narrated by Ken Kesey (yes, the One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest author), this documentary explores the rise and sudden death of Prefontaine. He wasn’t just fast. He was a rebellious spirit who became the face of American distance running in the 1970s.
If you know anything about running, you’ve heard of Prefontaine. If you don’t, this documentary will make you wonder why.
A Star Born in Coos Bay
Steve Prefontaine was born in 1951 in Coos Bay, Oregon, a small, gritty logging town. His upbringing in that tough environment clearly shaped him.
In high school, he was scrappy and undersized, but fast. In his senior year, he broke the national high school two-mile record, clocking in at 8:41.5. That record stood for decades.
The documentary weaves in footage of these early races, with Prefontaine pulling ahead with his trademark aggressive style, leaving the competition gasping in his wake.
Oregon and Bill Bowerman
In 1969, Prefontaine joined the University of Oregon’s track team under legendary coach Bill Bowerman. Bowerman was no ordinary coach. He was also the co-founder of Nike.
Bowerman molded Prefontaine into an unbeatable force, and the film shows clips of their training sessions, some in Oregon’s iconic rain.
There’s a great scene where Bowerman watches as Pre sprints up a muddy hill, sweat pouring, pushing harder with each step. His ferocity was palpable.
Under Bowerman, Prefontaine became a track star, smashing American records in races from 2,000 meters to 10,000 meters.
Fast and Fearless
Prefontaine wasn’t just fast; he ran with reckless abandon. He set a U.S. record in the 5,000 meters, finishing in 13:22.8. That’s the equivalent of running 4:18 per mile for over three miles straight.
“Fire on the Track” dives into his racing mentality. Prefontaine had a notorious strategy—go out fast from the start. The film shows him leading races early, daring others to keep up. His philosophy was simple: “Somebody may beat me, but they’re going to have to bleed to do it.”
There’s incredible footage from the 1972 U.S. Olympic Trials. Prefontaine, with long hair and a mustache, guns it from the start and never looks back.
The crowd in Eugene roars as he crosses the finish line, fists in the air. The stadium was packed to see him.
He was a rock star.
The Munich Olympics Heartbreak
The documentary spends significant time on the 1972 Munich Olympics, where Prefontaine competed in the 5,000 meters. He was just 21. The doc uses archival footage of this dramatic race, showcasing his aggressive style. He led for much of the race but faded in the final stretch, finishing fourth. It was devastating.
In one interview, a teary-eyed Prefontaine reflects on that loss. You can see how much it hurt him. The doc shows how this race, more than any other, fueled his desire for a comeback in the 1976 Olympics.
A Rebel Fighting the System
What makes “Fire on the Track” unique is how it delves into Prefontaine’s off-the-track battles. The film highlights his fight against the amateur athletic system. In the ’70s, athletes couldn’t earn money and still compete in the Olympics. Prefontaine thought this was unfair, especially since track and field athletes barely scraped by financially.
He gave speeches, pushed for reforms, and openly criticized the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). He wanted athletes to be paid for their hard work, something nearly unheard of at the time. His advocacy made him a hero to fellow athletes but an enemy to athletic officials.
One memorable moment in the documentary shows Prefontaine at a dinner, sarcastically calling out the officials for being out of touch. His passion for changing the sport is clear in his fiery words.
Legacy Through Tragedy
On May 30, 1975, Prefontaine’s life was tragically cut short in a car accident. He was just 24 years old. The doc captures the shock and grief felt by the running community.
Prefontaine had just won a race in Eugene and was celebrating with friends before his fatal crash.
The filmmakers use interviews with close friends and teammates to relive the horror of that night. Many of them arrived at the crash scene. The footage of Pre’s yellow MG flipped over, with him pinned beneath it, is chilling.
But the film doesn’t dwell on the tragedy. Instead, it focuses on the impact of his death. Prefontaine became a symbol of grit and determination. In the years after his death, his fame only grew.
The Nike Connection
One of the lesser-known details the documentary dives into is Prefontaine’s early connection with Nike. He was their first athlete, and they made shoes just for him.
There’s fascinating footage of him wearing the first prototypes of the Nike waffle shoe, designed by Bowerman.
In interviews, Nike co-founder Phil Knight credits Steve with bringing their fledgling brand to life. Without Prefontaine, Nike’s growth would have been slower, Knight says.
He was a marketer’s dream.
Racing Against Legends
The film also highlights Prefontaine’s epic rivalry with Finland’s Lasse Virén, who won gold in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters at the 1972 Olympics.
The two would go head-to-head multiple times. In one memorable race in Norway, Prefontaine set a new American record for the 3,000 meters, but it wasn’t enough to beat Virén.
The doc shows their rivalry in vivid detail, with clips of their races spliced with interviews from their contemporaries. But it was clear—they respected each other. The footage of their post-race handshakes says it all.
Prefontaine’s Influence
“Fire on the Track” touches on how Prefontaine’s legacy continues to this day. He inspired generations of runners, and his rebellious spirit still lives on in track culture.
His memorial, “Pre’s Rock,” located at the site of his crash, has become a pilgrimage site for runners worldwide. Every year, thousands visit, leaving running shoes, notes, and memorabilia in his honor.
The documentary also highlights the creation of the annual Prefontaine Classic, a major track and field event that draws top athletes from around the globe.
Highlights and Hidden Gems
While the big moments of Prefontaine’s life are well-known, the documentary uncovers several lesser-known stories.
For example, it reveals that Prefontaine often trained in complete isolation in the mountains, running 90 miles a week at his peak. He believed that suffering in training made the races feel easier.
Another great detail is his close friendship with distance runner Frank Shorter. The two trained together and competed fiercely, but always remained close.
Shorter, who won gold in the marathon at Munich, recalls Prefontaine’s relentless drive in one candid interview, saying, “Steve would rather die than finish second.”
The film also uncovers that Prefontaine was working behind the scenes to create a professional running circuit in the U.S., one that would allow athletes to make a living from the sport. Sadly, his death came before he could see this vision realized.
Final Thoughts
“Fire on the Track” clocks in at 54 minutes, but it packs a punch. Director Lyttle and narrator Ken Kesey strike the right balance between action, emotion, and insight.
You’ll walk away understanding not just the athlete, but the man behind the legend. Prefontaine was more than just a runner; he was a symbol of defiance, of pushing limits, and of fighting for what you believe in.
In the end, “Fire on the Track” isn’t just a sports documentary. It’s a story about passion, legacy, and the lasting impact one person can have on an entire sport. Prefontaine’s spirit lives on, both in the races he ran and in the causes he fought for.
Thanks for reading!