I knew I had to show everybody that I could excel at something. But I didn't know what. — Steve Prefontaine Copy Share Image
Why shouldn't I do what I want to do... I'm an American citizen. — Steve Prefontaine Copy Share Image
Somebody may beat me, but they are going to have to bleed to do it. — Steve Prefontaine Copy Share Image
Coos Bay is a sports-minded town. You had to be an athlete to be somebody. — Steve Prefontaine Athlete Copy Share Image
How does a kid from Coos Bay, with one leg longer than the other win races? — Steve Prefontaine Children Copy Share Image
The best pace is a suicide pace, and today looks like a good day to die. — Steve Prefontaine Copy Share Image
Some people create with words or with music or with a brush and paints. I like to make something beautiful when I… — Steve Prefontaine Beautiful Copy Share Image
I like to make something beautiful when I run ... it's style. It's doing something better than anyone else. It's being creative. — Steve Prefontaine Copy Share Image
Over the years, I've given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It… — Steve Prefontaine Achievement Copy Share Image
Kids made fun of me because I was a slow learner, because I was hyperactive, because of a lot of things. Running… — Steve Prefontaine Confidence Copy Share Image
People say I should be running for a gold medal for the old red, white and blue and all that bull, but… — Steve Prefontaine Blue Copy Share Image
I'm going to work so that it's a pure guts race at the end, and if it is, I am the only… — Steve Prefontaine Football Copy Share Image
World records at 19. I don't want that. Later, yes. And when it comes, I'll learn to live with it, but it… — Steve Prefontaine First love Copy Share Image
A lot of people run a race to see who is fastest. I run to see who has the most guts, who… — Steve Prefontaine Copy Share Image
How does a kid from Coos Bay, with one leg longer than the other win races? All my life people have been… — Steve Prefontaine Copy Share Image
For me, running against the Poles and Czechs would be like running against high school kids. And I hate all this gung-ho,… — Steve Prefontaine Alone Copy Share Image
If I lose forcing the pace all the way, well, at least I can live with myself. But if it's a slow… — Steve Prefontaine Copy Share Image
The AAU doesn't care about the athletes; why should I care about them? — Steve Prefontaine Copy Share Image
Having a true faith is the most difficult thing in the world. Many will try to take it from you. — Steve Prefontaine Copy Share Image
Every once in a while I think, 'What am I doing out here running, busting myself up? Life could be so much… — Steve Prefontaine Copy Share Image
I know places you better speak low if you've been to college. Men will come across the room and cold-deck you if… — Steve Prefontaine Copy Share Image
If I want to go to Europe and get thrashed by the Europeans, that's my business. Every race I lose I learn… — Steve Prefontaine Business Copy Share Image
You said I was weak. You said I couldn't do it. Thank you. You gave me everything I needed to prove you… — Steve Prefontaine Copy Share Image
I like to be able to go out to dinner once in a while. I like to be able to drive my… — Steve Prefontaine Copy Share Image
A race is a work of art that people can look at and be affected in as many ways they're capable of… — Steve Prefontaine Copy Share Image
