ChildrenSong of New Jersey recently recorded a treble arrangement of Elton John’s Rocket Man to accompany a children’s book about legendary runner Steve Prefontaine from Coos Bay, Oregon, who died in the 1970s.

The proceeds of the book and accompanying CD will be put into a special fund for for the Coos Bay School District to fund music and physical education programs that are threatened by budget cuts. Author Bree Donovan told the kids that Prefontaine was not only an exceptional runner; he was an exceptional human being.

The kids learned that, although the demands of his rigorous running schedule kept him in perpetual motion, one of Pre’s personal priorities was to work with children. He continually encouraged them to find their passion and achieve their personal best. Pre’s most well-known quote resonates with children and adults today:

To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the Gift.

During his track career, Prefontaine earned seven National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) titles, a fourth-place Olympic 5K finish in 1972, and numerous other prestigious American titles from 2,000 to 10,000 meter races.

The book and CD are slated to be released in the spring of 2008. The singers ranging in age from 12 to 18 enjoyed the experience of recording this song for the benefit of the music program in the Coos Bay School District.