During the 1970s, with the influence of legendary University of Oregon coach and Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman and a slew of star athletes, Eugene, Oregon became known as "Track Town USA." In recent years, Eugene's reputation as the mecca of American track has wavered with mediocre success from U of O runners and other local athletes.

Track fans follow the action at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials on two jumbotrons at the Eugene '08 Festival. Joe Darda

However, with a resurgent Ducks team lead by head coach Vin Lananna and millions of dollars going into the remodeling of historic Hayward Field, Eugene, which hosted this past week's U.S. Olympic Trials, is without a doubt Track Town USA once again.

From June 27 through July 6, Eugene has been host to the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials, but took the event beyond a simple track meet. Besides playing host to some of the nation's finest athletes, Eugene sponsored a 10-day festival in conjunction with the Trials that transformed the city into a track fan's ultimate dream.

Track fans help power the Eugene '08 Festival on stationary bikes at the Track Town Power Station. Joe Darda

The Eugene '08 Festival encompassed the blocks surrounding Hayward Field and provided entertainment for fans of all ages. There were two giant jumbotrons on which fans without tickets (the Trials were sold out everyday) could watch the events taking place inside the stadium. In addition there were beer gardens, Nintendo Wiis, a makeshift Nike Town, food vendors, live bands and the Track Town Power Station at which fans could ride stationary bicycles to help power the festival while watching the meet on high-definition TVs.

Portland State student Nicole Bateham, who was attending the Trials Festival with her family, did her part to help power the festival on the stationary bikes. "I think it's a great idea to try and run the festival off human power," she said while peddling away. "It's definitely very Oregon."

Bateham further appreciated the attention the Trials brought her home state. "It's cool because this is how people know Eugene and Oregon -- because of the Olympic Trials," Bateham said.

Darlene Partida, a student at Rainer College in Sherwood, Ore., shared Bateman's sentiments. "I think Eugene has done a really good job because running is kind of the underdog of all sports, but they've been able to bring it some attention here," she said.

With thousands of people converging in Eugene over the past 10 days, whether for the Trials, the Festival or a little of both, one thing is for sure -- "Track Town USA" is here to stay.