In eighth grade, Tanner Alexander’s father made him a promise.

If Tanner continued with his love of running, then his father would allow him to compete in any race in the country during his senior year of high school.

Tanner’s father kept his promise.

Since the Prefontaine Memorial Run is Saturday, Tanner chose that one. It would be a sensible choice for most runners, except that Tanner, who is 18 years old, lives in Ashland, Kentucky.

“I knew the only race I wanted to be in was this race,” Tanner said.

Tanner said his father, Mike Wright, was surprised with his son’s long-distance choice, but that Wright was won over after he researched Steve Prefontaine’s life and accomplishments.

Tanner started running cross country in sixth grade, but only because he wanted to stay in shape for basketball. Running stuck with him.

“It’s the competition,” Tanner said. “Being able to go out and run against other people and test each other. Competition dragged me into it.”

He still plays varsity basketball, but those few months are the only time he takes off from running. He competes on the track and cross country teams at Russell High School, and his cross country team won the regional title last season. Tanner said that most long-distance runners are influenced by Prefontaine, no matter where you live.

“If you’re a runner, you know who he was,” Tanner said.

Prefontaine has influenced Tanner’s style and attitude toward racing, despite the fact that Prefontaine lived before Tanner was even born.

“It astonishes me,” Tanner said. “He was just so good at such a young age.”

It was a natural choice for Tanner to want to travel here, the home of Prefontaine, even if he had to span the country. He and his father flew into Portland on Wednesday, and drove down to Coos Bay. Tanner said he was approaching a 27-hour day, but still got up early and ran Thursday morning with Jay Farr and a few other members of the Prefontaine Memorial Committee.

The running group showed Tanner around town so he could see where Prefontaine ran, and Tanner gushed that the area is beautiful.

“This might be the last time I get to see the Pacific Ocean,” he said.

He plans to see some other sights before heading home. He wants to visit Nike headquarters in Beaverton, and they’ll stop in Eugene to check out the University of Oregon, which will serve a double purpose — seeing more Prefontaine history, and a makeshift college visit. He laughed because he took time off school with a few of his 10 designated college visit days so he could make it to the race.

But this race isn’t all about soaking up history. After all, he is a competitor.

He ran a 10k in July, finishing in 34 minutes and 50 seconds. He wants to finish in less than 34 minutes on Saturday.

“To be able to be out here and witness everything myself, I’m super excited,” Tanner said. “I came across the country to compete. I’m going to try to enjoy every minute.”