Oregon to Serve as Epicenter of Track & Field Once Again in ‘Greatest Year’ for the Sport in the State — Sport Oregon Voices
Photo: TrackTown USA
Sport Oregon Voices: An unprecedented slate of premier track and field events – anchored by the World Athletics Championships – will be on display at Hayward Field in Eugene over the next four months
Before social media, before the many methods of mass communication at our disposal in the modern age, Bill Bowerman set out on a DIY campaign to spread the word. It was 1972, and Bowerman’s bold declaration was clear and simple, rallying support for the “greatest track and field year” the state had ever seen by writing letters to friends and associates, and canvassing the streets of Eugene-Springfield with promotional posters as part of a general awareness campaign.
It would be hard to argue with Bowerman’s message at the time, as the scene was set for Hayward Field, on the campus of the University of Oregon, to not only host the NCAA Championships for track and field once again, but also host the U.S. Olympic Trials for the first time. The community had established strong support for track and field over the years, but this particular year marked a sea change in the caliber of event it was able to attract.
“That year, 1972, really got things going for this community to host major track and field events,” said Michael Reilly, the CEO of TrackTown USA, a non-profit that hosts and supports premier track and field events in the area. “The 1972 Olympic Trials really just set a new standard for everything being successful.”
Fifty years later, Track Town U.S.A. is celebrating in similar fashion to that of Bowerman’s 1972 campaign, albeit on an even grander scale, and anchored by the World Athletics Championships (WCH) Oregon22 in July.
This year, the list of track and field events coming to Hayward Field is staggering, reading like a greatest hits of the top showcase events for virtually every level of the sport. There’s a little something for everyone, even for the most casual of track and field fans. If you love the sport, opportunities abound over the next four months to see the best athletes at every level, essentially. The overall impact of hosting these events in Oregon stretches far and wide, as thousands of athletes, staff and enthusiasts of the sport will flock to Oregon to be a part of this unique confluence of premier track and field events over the next four months.
Already underway, this spring and summer’s schedule of events will include, among others, the upcoming Pac-12 Championships (May 13-15), the OSAA State Championships (May 19-21), The Prefontaine Classic (May 27-28), the NCAA Championships (June 8-11), the Nike Outdoor Nationals (June 16-19) and the USATF Championships (June 23-26).
The state’s largest marathon – The Eugene Marathon – will take place the weekend of April 29-May 1, with Hayward Field once again serving as the finish line. Additional events on the horizon include the Oregon Relays (April 22-23), Oregon Twilight (May 6) and the Hayward Classic (May 7).
This impressive slate of events serves as an appetizing lead-up to the World Athletics Championships (WCH) Oregon22, which will be held July 15-24 at Hayward Field. The summer event will bring together the best track and field athletes in the world to the state of Oregon for the first time. July’s World Athletics Championships in Eugene are truly a history-making event, marking the first time the event has been held in the United States, let alone the state of Oregon
And looking ahead, the Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon marks its return as an in-person event over Labor Day weekend, with the race taking place Sunday, Sept. 4. Following a virtual event this past year, the Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon features an exciting new location and course, with the event now being held in the rural community of Independence, located just to the south of Salem.
Lest we forget, all of this exciting activity comes on the heels of Eugene hosting the Olympic Trials for a seventh time in 2021.
In reflection, the Eugene-Springfield community – and for that matter Oregon as a whole – has steadily built to this level to attract so many top-class track and field events. Earning the moniker “Track Town U.S.A.” didn’t happen overnight, but it’s a well-earned distinction for an area widely regarded for its passion and knowledge as a top destination for the sport. And with the significant investment that’s been made to Hayward Field in recent years, the area is well-poised to continue to attract top-level events in the future.
Fitting, then, that the area track and field community is reflecting on that launch point from 50 years ago as it approaches a new benchmark for success over the coming months.
“It’s really a testament to how much the state and our community have supported track and field over the years,” Reilly said of the World Athletics Championships taking place in Eugene in addition to the impressive array of events coming up. “Quite simply, it is going to be the greatest year of track and field in the history of the state of Oregon.”
Schedule of Events
April 22-23: Oregon Relays I Tickets
April 29-May 1: Eugene Marathon I Registration
May 6: Oregon Twilight I Tickets
May 7: Hayward Classic I Website
May 13-15: Pac-12 Championships I Tickets
May 19-21: OSAA State Championships I Website
May 27-28: The Prefontaine Classic I Tickets
June 8-11: NCAA Championships I Tickets
June 10-11: Portland Track Festival | Website
June 16-19: Nike Outdoor Nationals I Website
June 23-26: USATF Outdoor Nationals I Tickets
July 8: Stumptown Twilight | Website
July 15-24: World Athletics Championships (WCH) Oregon22 I Tickets, Volunteer, Website
Sept. 4: Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon I Registration