Prefontaine Classic 2015: Course Info, Date and Event Schedule
The 2015 Prefontaine Classic, one of the nation's biggest annual track meets, convenes Friday in a showing of world-class athleticism.
Named after Oregon star and Olympian Steve Prefontaine, the event at Oregon's Hayward Field features an eye-popping number of events and some of the best athletes in the world as part of the IAAF Diamond League.
American's longest-running outdoor invitational track and field meet seizes global attention once again this week, so let's take a look at the pertinent info.
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Where: University of Oregon's Hayward Field, Eugene, Oregon
When: Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30
2015 Prefontaine Classic Event Schedule
| Time | Event |
| 19:50 | Welcome / National Anthem |
| 19:54 | Preview Program |
| 20:03 | Men Discus Throw |
| 20:06 | Women Long Jump West Outer Runway |
| 20:09 | Women USATF High Performance 800m (National) |
| 20:17 | Women Girls High School Elite 200m |
| 20:24 | Men Boys High School Elite 200m |
| 20:28 | Men Shot Put West Ring |
| 20:31 | Pre's Legacy |
| 20:40 | Women Girls High School Elite Mile |
| 20:50 | Men Boys High School Elite Mile |
| 21:00 | Men 5000m |
| 21:20 | Men 10000m |
| Time | Event |
| 12:00 | Welcome / National Anthem |
| 12:03 | Preview Program |
| 12:13 | Introduction of Pre Classic Legends |
| 12:21 | Women Triple Jump Outer West Runway |
| 12:26 | Men Pole Vault East Outer Runway |
| 12:32 | Men International Mile |
| 12:41 | Women 400m |
| 12:49 | Men 800m |
| 12:56 | Men High Jump East Apron |
| 13:00 | Start of International Signal |
| 13:03 | Men 400m Hurdles |
| 13:11 | Men Steeplechase |
| 13:24 | Women 100m (International) |
| 13:30 | Women Javelin Throw |
| 13:30 | Start of National Signal |
| 13:33 | Women 100m |
| 13:42 | Men 100m |
| 13:49 | Men 400m |
| 13:55 | Women 800m |
| 14:05 | Men 110m Hurdles |
| 14:12 | Women 5000m |
| 14:32 | Men 200m |
| 14:40 | Women 1500m |
| 14:49 | Men Bowerman Mile |
Eugene.DiamondLeague.com provides an extensive breakdown of Hayward Field.
"Deep" is perhaps the best way to describe this year's event.
Look at the popular 10K, where Olympic gold medalist Mo Farah steals the spotlight. He should, too, thanks to a pair of gold medals in 2012 and the fact he hasn't lost a 10K race in four years.
Eugene.DiamondLeague.com sums up his dominance at the event in past years:
"Farah made history in winning the 2011 edition of the Pre Classic. His time of 26:46.57 was the fastest in the world since the 2008 Pre Classic. In the 2011 Pre Classic, Farah was the first of a record nine runners to break 27 minutes in the same race – no other race in the world has had more than six.
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While impressive, this year's race features seven runners with personal records under 27 minutes. On a fast track with plenty of elite talent, the 10K figures to be the best the meet has seen to date.
Also of note is the 200-meter dash, which will receive a special appearance from Justin Gatlin. The 33-year-old superstar is fastest in the world at 100 meters, his event of choice in recent years, but he is ready to give his first 200-meter dash of the season a go.
Still, even the longer distance figures to be very competitive, especially with someone such as Jamaica's Nickel Ashmeade in the field, who won the same event in 2013.
American women figure to put on a show, too, thanks to a stacked Pre Classic 1,500.
There, Jenny Simpson leads the way and is quite the history-maker, as the event's official website breaks down:
"Jenny Simpson is the only American to rank No. 1 in the Track & Field News world rankings women’s 1500 meters since Mary Slaney did it twice in the '80s. The IAAF Diamond Trophy winner last year, Simpson matched another Slaney feat in 2011, winning the World Championships gold medal.
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She's not alone, though. Fellow American Shannon Rowbury continues to put on strong performances, running up her best indoor season to date. Treniere Moser, a four-time champ, set her personal best at the event in 2013. There's even an up-and-coming star in 18-year-old Alexa Efraimson.
Last but in no way least when it comes to notable events during the two-day spectacle, is a stacked 5,000-meter race headlined by Galen Rupp and Bernard Lagat.
Rupp won silver in the 10,000 meters at the London Games, the first medal by an American man since 1964, and continues to put on strong performances no matter where he decides to suit up. Lagat comes with a similar resume, clutching seven U.S. 5,000-meter titles, the most in history.
Those are just small samplings of the major events to watch this week in Eugene and proof enough the annual event continues to attract the best of the best.
With such a talented field ready to blaze quick tracks and make history while preparing for the future, it's not an event to miss.
Info courtesy of DiamondLeague.com unless otherwise specified.
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