Former Oregon Ducks, pro runner Matt Scherer dies at 38

Matt Scherer

Matt Scherer, a former Oregon Ducks track athlete and professional pacer, died this week at age 38. Photo by Randy L. Rasmussen/The Oregonian/2012LC- The Oregonian

Matt Scherer, a former Oregon Ducks track athlete who went on to become a professional runner and pacer, died this week. He was 38.

Scherer ran for Oregon from 2003-06 and ranks No. 4 on the Ducks’ all-time list in the 400 meters, with a time of 45.19 in his final season. He anchored the 4x400 relay team that still holds the UO record of 3:00.81.

He was a pro track athlete for several years and then became a professional pacer from 2011-14. Most recently, Scherer served as chief operating officer of RunnerSpace.com, a Eugene-based track and field website.

RunnerSpace posted this message to Twitter on Wednesday:

“The RunnerSpace Team is devastated at the news of Matt Scherer’s sudden passing this week. He was more than our COO, he was a trusted teammate and friend. Just like he did on the track, Matt paced our company with confidence and character, always with a passion for the sport he loved. We grieve as colleagues and as friends. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.”

The cause of Scherer’s death was not shared.

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