the adidas Running Academy Feature Speakers

Steve McChesney

Track aficionados versed in the history of our sport in this country over the past 40 years are no doubt well acquainted with the name “McChesney.”  Mention of the family, especially to fans in Tracktown, USA, (a.k.a. Eugene, Oregon), evokes memories of legendary prep 4x 1 Mile relays, and then brothers wearing the Ducks’ green and gold in the era following Prefontaine and bridging into the days of Salazar, Centrowitz and Chapa.  Still, the family, with parents Bill and Marcia, continues to be part of the beating heart of the track life in Eugene

The McChesney influence on American running, however, is not limited to Oregon.  Almost 20 years ago, Steve McChesney came to New England, having already been a successful coach at two Oregon schools, including his alma mater (South Eugene).  You could say Steve traded one running hotbed for another.  His school, Newton South, is a few miles south of Heartbreak Hill on the Boston Marathon course.  He has built a program here that has won consistently with 40 all Americans and 15 state champions running for Steve in his 19 years at Newton South High School.