Steve Roland Prefontaine was born on January 25, 1951, in Coos Bay, Oregon, and died on May 30, 1975, in Eugene, Oregon. At the time of his death, he held American records in the national prep 2 miles with 8:41.5, set on April 25, 1969, in Corvallis, Oregon; in the outdoor 2,000 meters with 5:01.4, set on May 9, 1975, in Coos Bay, Oregon; 3,000 meters with 7:42.6, set on July 2, 1974, in Milan, Italy; 5,000 meters with 13:22.4, set on June 26, 1974, in Helsinki, Finland; 10,000 meters with 27:43.6, set on April 27, 1974, in Eugene, Oregon; 2 miles with 8:18.4, set on July 18, 1974, in Stockholm, Sweden; 3 miles with 12:51.4, set on June 8, 1974, in Eugene, Oregon; and 6 miles with 26:51.8, set on April 27, 1974, in Eugene, Oregon.