Nike Classic Cortez Premium ‘Stop Pre’ Honours a Distance Running Legend

Now available to purchase, the NIKE CLASSIC CORTEZ PREMIUM ‘STOP PRE’ is The Swoosh’s homage to Steve ‘Pre’ Prefontaine, the legendary American distance runner.

Sticklers for tradition and lovers of vintage looks will be pleased, as this iteration of the Cortez returns to the original red, white and blue colourway from 1972. The silhouette’s materials hark back to the original too, employing a combination of leather and textile for the upper, and a rubber, herringbone outsole. But, as is the case with all reissues, there are modern touches, such as the Phylon midsole that provides lightweight cushioning.

To honour ‘Pre’, this premium Cortez features an American-style stop sign on the heels, as well as a ’70s style graphic on each insole, and ‘Tradition Never Stops’ in text on the inside of the tongue. About that stop sign: ‘Pre’ was the middle- and long-distance runner to beat in the early 1970s, competing for the USA in the ’72 Olympics and, at one time, holding the American record in seven different distance track events. His competitors consequently started wearing t-shirts with the rallying cry ‘Stop Pre’ printed on a stop sign, and Pre himself got in the act, donning the t-shirt himself. Prefontaine’s life was tragically cut short in a road accident when he was aged just 25. His young life and athletic achievements were thus immortalised, securing his legend status in running circles, as well as on his and Nike’s home turf of Oregon.

The NIKE CLASSIC CORTEZ PREMIUM ‘STOP PRE’ is AVAILABLE NOW via the banner below.