Steve Prefontaine’s Personal and Worn Nike Kenya Red Sneakers | Modified by Bill Bowerman with Waffle Soles on the Heels | Letter of Opinion

Sotheby’s is proud to present: Steve Prefontaine’s Personal and Worn Nike Kenya Red Sneakers, Modified by Bill Bowerman with Waffle Soles on the Heels.

This pair is offered with provenance from Mary Marckx, Prefontaine’s former girlfriend, who gifted the sneakers to her nephew, Michael, following Steve’s death in May 1975. 

The pair has also been authenticated by Michael Friton, a longtime Nike innovator who worked alongside Bill Bowerman for 16 years. 

Additionally, the pair includes a letter of opinion from Sports Investors Authentication, stating their support that these shoes were worn in an image of Steve Prefontaine and Jesse Owens from 1973. 

Prefontaine’s sneakers stand as a pivotal artifact in the history of American distance running and the formative years of Nike. This sale marks only the second known instance of a pair attributed to Prefontaine being offered at public auction.

Made in Japan between 1973 and 1976, the Nike Kenya Red was engineered for long-distance road racing, cross-country, and track training. Structurally identical to the Finland Blue model, the Kenya Red was distinguished by its bold red and white colorway. This particular pair is especially notable for being heavily worn by Prefontaine and personally modified by Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman, who added his groundbreaking waffle tread to the heels—a design regarded as Nike’s first major innovation. Bowerman was later inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame for the Waffle Sole.

Constructed from nylon, suede, leather, and rubber, the shoes feature white soles in a herringbone pattern and Nike’s original lowercase cursive logo on the tongues, notably absent of a trademark symbol as they predate the brand’s registration. They retain their original laces and insoles, though one aglet on the left shoe is worn, and the right tongue tag is no longer stitched to the underside.

The soles exhibit significant wear and have been repaired with Shoe Goo, while the front toes were restitched—red thread on the right shoe, white on the left—a compelling detail given Prefontaine’s documented preference for seamless, one-piece toe construction.

1973 and Beyond

In 1973, Prefontaine officially signed with Nike. That same year, he was photographed beside Jesse Owens at the inaugural 15-mile distance race in Charleston, West Virginia, where both were honored guests.

In the image, Prefontaine appears to be wearing a pair of Nike Kenya Reds, recognizable by their vivid crimson uppers and white soles—a distinctive look during a time when Nike issued very few pairs to even its top-tier athletes, and even fewer in such an unorthodox colorway.

In a letter of opinion from Sports Investors Authentication, it states: “The clarity of the photo does not allow us to say with absolute certainty that these shoes are photo matched. However, all evidence supports and suggests these shoes being examined are the running shoes worn by Steve Prefontaine in this photo with Jesse Owens taken in September 1973.”

A letter of authentication from Nike innovator and Bill Bowerman’s lab assistant Michael Friton adds further insight, noting: “The shoes show a great deal of wear. They must have been a favorite pair of Pre’s as they were worn to the point of breaking down and then repaired. I’m sure they were still in use up until his passing.”

Together, the two letters build a strong case for the sneakers’ history, pointing to both their appearance in the iconic image and their heavy use throughout Prefontaine’s life.

Pre and Nike

Steve Prefontaine was the first runner signed by Nike and played an essential role in establishing the brand’s identity as a running company. Additionally, he was named the company’s National Director of Public Affairs and often sent gear and handwritten encouragement to young runners across the country.

Nike holds Prefontaine in the highest regard. Phil Knight has described his spirit as “the cornerstone of this company’s soul.”

At the entrance to Nike World Headquarters, the first building visitors encounter is Steve Prefontaine Hall. Inside stands a statue of Pre and a museum that honors Bill Bowerman, Phil Knight, Prefontaine, and the origins of Nike.

Going Deeper | Steve Prefontaine

Universally known as “Pre,” Steve Prefontaine was a generational talent and a cultural icon in the sport of running.

Born in Coos Bay, Oregon, in 1951, Prefontaine’s drive to become the best in the world began at Marshfield High School. After missing the Oregon state track meet as a sophomore, he vowed never to lose another race—and he didn’t. Undefeated in his final two years, he set a national high school record in the two-mile with a time of 8:41.5.

His performances quickly gained national attention, prompting recruitment from top college programs across the country. Among them, Oregon Coach and Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman famously wrote Pre a letter, assuring him he could become the greatest distance runner in the world if he came to Oregon. Pre accepted.

Soon after, he became a national sensation. As a freshman, he appeared on the June 15, 1970, cover of Sports Illustrated, dubbed “America’s Distance Prodigy.”

The 1972 Summer Olympics | Munich

At age 21, Prefontaine competed in the 5000 meters at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. He placed fourth in a dramatic, all-out effort, widely considered one of the greatest races of his career and a lasting example of his fearless racing style.

The Final Race

On May 29, 1975, Prefontaine won the 5000 meters at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. After the race, he took a victory lap, waved to the crowd, and blew a kiss in thanks. That night, he attended a small gathering at Geoff Hollister’s home. Around midnight, he drove his friend Frank Shorter to Kenny Moore’s house, then set off alone in his gold MG convertible. On a winding road, the car flipped, pinning him underneath. He died at the scene. The news of his death shocked the world. He was just 24 years old.

Though his life was tragically short, Prefontaine’s legacy remains unmatched. He helped ignite the American Running Boom, made distance running inspirational, and became a symbol of individuality, passion, and grit. Runner’s World later named him the most influential American runner of all time.

Referred to by Nike co-founder Phil Knight as the “soul of Nike,” Prefontaine famously said, “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.”