The NYC running community lost one of its own today. Pat Petersen was a top runner back in the 1980's placing very high in several NYC Marathons. He passed away today of pancreatic cancer. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and those who knew him from the running community. R.I.P. Pat. You were one of the great runners from New York.
He was the American Record Holder for the marathon for a while for a non-aided course. Definitely remember the tall, lanky, side-to side form wearing the NYAC red and white uniform. Very sad to read of his passing.
So sorry to hear that. Have vivid memories of watching his great performance in the heat at the 1985 NYC Marathon.
He ran for Waren Street, not the NYAC.
Wasn't there a once a set of criteria or calculations that would have him as American Record holder?
Track Fan 1979 wrote:
He ran for Waren Street, not the NYAC.
He may have been affiliated with Warren Street, but I'm pretty sure he ran for NYAC.
Terrible .
RIP . will never forget that stride .
malmo wrote:
Track Fan 1979 wrote:He ran for Waren Street, not the NYAC.
He may have been affiliated with Warren Street, but I'm pretty sure he ran for NYAC.
In the NYRR Marathon results archive, he's listed as having run for Warren Street, Super Runners Shop [where I believe he worked for a while] and adidas. Don't believe he ever ran for NYAC. The NYRR archive for other races only goes back to 1987 and lists him as having run for adidas and Warren Street [+ several unattached races.]
Looks like he ran one last NYRR race unattachd last June [after not having run an NYRR race since 1997] - not sure if that was before or after his diagnosis.
Well then that settles it.
If not for Salazar's presence in the 80's, here in the U.S., Pat was the man. Almost broke 2:10 in London. Tough spot for his wife as they have 4 children. Diagnosed just recently - a real shock.
I trained with Pat for awhile. He worked at Super Runners Shop and ran for the team until he joined Warren Street in 1986 I believe. We ran London in 1985 for SRS and he placed in the top ten. He was a friend for over thirty years and will be missed.
Met him when I was a high school runner. He was very humble and kind. Still remember his advice--"dream big but learn to enjoy getting the small day-to-day stuff right." My heart goes out to his family. Not fair at all.
Petersen was indeed briefly considered the American record holder by whatever governing bodies said the record had to be set on a loop course. But Rodgers, Salazar, Meyer, and Beardsley had run faster in Boston or New York or both, and Petersen has adamant about not considering himself a record holder.
He was as unpretentious and normal as a runner of his caliber could ever be. He was actually the favorite at the 1988 Olympic Trials in New Jersey, bit something went wrong. I believe he was sick.
Pat was a tough out as they say. I ran against him in the 10K at Penn Relays when it was the real deal. Always remember that tall, lanky, rocking side to side motion.
RIP Pat.
Prayers to his family.
Sickened by this news. Damn it! RIP, Pat, you will be greatly missed. Thoughts and prayers to your family!
I'm so sorry to hear this. He was one of those guys that you just had to cheer for. RIP
I was so sorry to receive this news. I always admired his competitiveness, and he was especially good given that he always worked a full-time job. He really earned his place in NYC Marathon history.
Thanks to Brian Metzler and Tracy Sundlun at Competitor Group for remembering him with their obit today.
Pat's two sons have autism. He & his wife are big advocates for providing services needed now for this population & created the EJ Autism Foundation to provide such services. Perhaps a donation in his name to the EJ Autism Foundation might be a way to honor his legacy.