[3] At the 1904 Summer Olympics, Pilgrim failed to complete the 400 m and 800 m events, and finished sixth in the four mile team run, aiding the New York Athletic Club (NYAC) to win the gold medal.

[1] In 1906, Pilgrim traveled to Athens on his own, missing the wave that washed over the deck of the American team's ship in Gibraltar.

The wave injured about half-dozen athletes aboard the deck, including one of the favorites in the 400 m, Harry Hillman.

On that stretch, he passed Wyndham Halswelle of Great Britain and Nigel Barker of Australia to win in time of 53.2 seconds.

[4] In the 800 m, Pilgrim passed James Lightbody on the final lap[5] and won by two feet.