He competed in cross country and track in high school, and was described as a competitive runner but had no extraordinary results as a high-schooler.
At the time, Manhattan College had one of the most competitive collegiate distance running programs in the United States, and when Petersen transferred, the team had Bill Krohn.
Petersen initially intended on quitting running after college, but was offered a part-time position at Super Runners shop in Long Island, which was owned by the winner of the 1970 New York City Marathon, Gary Muhrcke.
[3] In 1991 he collapsed in the middle of a workout in Central Park and was subsequently diagnosed with a heart irregularity, which ultimately ended his competitive running career.
[5] Source: Association of Road Racing Statisticians (ARRS) profile: Pat Petersen.