Eugene has long been known as Tracktown, USA, and if you want to follow in the footsteps of Steve Prefontaine, there are plenty of routes around town for doing some running. At the Convention & Visitors Association of Lane County Oregon , you can pick up a map of area running trails. These jogging routes include the popular Pre's Trail, a 3.87-mile system of loops in Alton Baker Park, which is just across the Willamette River from downtown Eugene. You'll find Hayward Field off Agate Street in the southeast corner of the campus. Runners may also want to drop by the Nike Store, 5th Street Public Market, 296 E. Fifth Ave. (tel. 541/342-5155; www.nike.com), which has an interesting exhibit about Steve Prefontaine, Bill Bowerman, and Phil Knight, who together laid the foundation for Nike's success.
With two rivers, the McKenzie and the Willamette, flowing through the area, it isn't surprising that Eugene has quite a few water-oriented activities. You can rent canoes and kayaks at Oregon River Sports, 3400 Franklin Blvd. (tel. 888/790-PADL or 541/334-0696; www.oregonriversports.com), which has its canoe-rental facility in Alton Baker Park. Canoes and kayaks rent for $10 per hour.
