After starring as an undergraduate at Cornell University, Pete set about a long-term quest to become the best marathoner he could be. After debuting with a 2:22, he went on to a 2:17:10 win at the 1980 Skylon International Marathon and followed this up with a 2:15:20 victory at the 1981 National Sports Festival Marathon. Pete went on to complete a dozen more marathons, none slower than 2:14:44.

Aiming in the long term for the 1984 Olympic Games, Pete took third place in the 1981 Nike Marathon (2:12:41), and in 1983 won the Winstone Auckland Marathon (2:12:19), finished second at the Montreal Marathon (2:12:33), and won the San Francisco Marathon (2:14:44).

The early 1980's marked the height of competitive marathoning in the United States. At the 1984 Olympic Trials in Buffalo, Pete faced perhaps the most fearsome American field ever assembled; vying for the Games were world-record holder Alberto Salazar, 1983 Boston Marathon champion Greg Meyer, multiple Boston Marathon and New York City Marathon champion Bill Rodgers, 1980 Trials winner Tony Sandoval, and a dozen other sub-2:12 threats. Blending his signature characteristics - patient, self-focused tactics supported by single-minded preparation - Pete broke away from the pack and outkicked Salazar to win the race in 2:11:43. At the L.A. Games, he was the first American finisher, taking 11th place on a sultry afternoon in 2:13:53.

Pete tuned up for the next Olympiad by running 2:12:28 at the 1985 World Cup Marathon, winning the San Francisco Marathon for a second time (2:13:29, 1986) and recording ninth- and third-place finishes at the 1986 (2:14:09) and 1987 (2:11:54) New York Marathons. He expanded his competitive horizons by earning a 1986 top-ten U.S. ranking in the 10,000 meters (28:41). Throughout his marathoning career, Pete worked for and was sponsored by New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc. of Boston.

At the 1988 Olympic Trials in New Jersey, Pete again qualified for the Olympic Team by taking third in 2:13:09. At the Games in Seoul, Pete was again the top American finisher, taking 14th place in 2:14:44 to cap off an astonishingly consistent career.

Pete, whose fastest 400 meters was 55.5, is known for having gotten the most out of his capabilities. Rare is the runner who has parlayed a 5K best of "only" 14:04 into a 2:11 marathon. Having displayed savvy, introspection, and grit in his own running, Pete naturally approaches the scientific art of coaching from the same individualized and goal-oriented perspective that marked his athletic career.

Personal bests:

• 5K - 14:04; 8K - 22:46; 10K - 28:41; 15K - 43:37; Half-Marathon - 1:03:14; 30K - 1:31:52; Marathon - 2:11:43

Awards: Recipient of 1984 DeCelle Award by USATF as America's best male distance runner Road Runners' Club of America 1984 Male Runner of the Year Road Runners' Club of America Hall of Fame Cornell University Athletic Hall of Fame Ranked #1 U.S. Marathoner by Track & Field News in 1984, #2 in '87, and #3 in 1988 USATF Niagara District Hall of Fame Greater Rochester Track Club Hall of Fame

Pete resides in Auckland, New Zealand, with his wife Chrissey and their two daughters, Annika and Katrina. Another former Team New Balance runner, Chrissey - a 1988 Olympian for New Zealand in the 1500m - ran 15:32 and 32:33 for 5K and 10K on the roads and 4:06.4 and 8:47.5 for 1500m and 3000m on the track.