Happy birthday to our happiest warrior: sprinter Pat Peterson

A subject of Racing Against the Clock reminds me that Patricia “Pat” Peterson, her colleague in cinema stardom, celebrates her birthday today, April 14. Pat’s age is top secret, but she was born in 1926, I’m told. So she’s four years away from aging up. But Pat doesn’t mind. She is our role model for embracing life — and masters track — amid all the challenges thrown at us. Hers includes crippling injuries and several bouts of cancer. Please join me in wishing her many more age groups to come.

Pat, shown at 2006 Superhot nationals, won't let age cool her off.

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April 14, 2012

10 Responses

  1. peter taylor - April 14, 2012

    Pat would be my top choice if they had a US Masters CCC award:

    C Courage in the face of innumerable tough challenges.

    C Commitment to getting to the meets and participating in them, whether nearby or far away.

    C Competing at a very high level while showing great respect for her fellow athletes.

  2. Mary Harada - April 14, 2012

    Pat is determination, persistence, and perfection. – I consider myself fortunate to have Pat as a friend. Watching her shoot out of the blocks for the 100 in Sacramento at the WMA last summer was just marvelous. Only a few months before she was in the hospital and rehab for a fractured pelvis.
    Happy Birthday Pat, and many more to come. See you at the track this summer.

  3. Rob Jerome - April 14, 2012

    Not only was she a great competitor in Sacramento, when she wasn’t competing, she was volunteering.

    Happy Birthday, Pat!

  4. Levasseur - April 15, 2012

    Happy birthday.

  5. MICHAEL DE JESUS - April 15, 2012

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

  6. Kim Williams - April 16, 2012

    Great competitor and role model for all of us.

  7. Mark Cleary - April 16, 2012

    Happy Birthday to an amazing lady-Pat I have always loved your great sense of humor-I hope you will be at Oudoor Nationals this summer-Cheers!!!

  8. Joseph Burleson - April 18, 2012

    This beautiful woman always has a smile and an infectious, up-beat attitude when seeing any of her millions of friends and admirers. She is especially noted for asking how YOU are, and is as interested in your activites as much or more than talking about her own. I so love hanging out with her and watching the mood of the growing crowd quickly become more lively and animated. World class soul, heart, mind, and body, that’s Pat!

  9. David and Linda - April 20, 2012

    Happy Birthday!

  10. Dottie Dack - April 9, 2014

    Pat if you are out there… (or if anyone knows how I can reach Pat),I don’t know if you remember me (Dottie Dack/Special Events with the City) but I just finished a great book called “What Makes Olga Run” by Bruce Grierson and YOU are in it… I almost fell off my seat!! So fantastic and all those years of you volunteering for events I had no idea that you are a famous track personality!Looks like you have a birthday coming up so Happy Birthday!

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