Distance Runner/Writer Died At His Home In Hawaii

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Kenny Moore, one of the pivotal figures in Eugene's 1960s rise to prominence in distance running, a student of coach Bill Bowerman, and an evangelist for the sport of track and field through his eloquent writing and storytelling, died on Wednesday morning. 

Moore was 78. He competed in two Olympic Games and placed fourth in the 1972 Munich Games marathon even as he was already chronicling the sport for Sports Illustrated. He wrote for the magazine for 30 years, ending in 1995 and covered the sport around the globe. 

Moore attended North Eugene High and then became one of the best distance runners in the country at the University of Oregon under Bowerman. 

Moore's book "Bowerman and The Men of Oregon" delves deeply into his experience at Oregon and how Bowerman was an innovator for the jogging movement, and had a mind for tinkering with new materials to improve running shoes and track surfaces. The early cobbled shoes, of which Moore was the first to wear, are the part of the origin story of Nike. 

He also co-wrote the Steve Prefontaine biopic 'Without Limits,' among his many writing credits.

Moore was part of NCAA championship track teams at Oregon in 1964 and 1965. 

He won the Bay To Breakers road race in San Francisco six straight years, from 1968 to 1973.