Active Pursuits

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.

With two rivers, the McKenzie and the Willamette, flowing through the area, it isn't surprising that Eugene offers quite a few water-oriented activities. You can rent canoes and kayaks at Oregon River Sports, 4000 Franklin Blvd. (tel. 888/790-PADL [7235] or 541/334-0696; www.oregonriversports.com), which has its canoe-rental facility in Alton Baker Park. Canoes and kayaks rent for $12 per hour.