
via Imago
Credit: Instagram/Jacory Patterson

via Imago
Credit: Instagram/Jacory Patterson
Remember Jacory Patterson? The guy who ran on fumes, loading trucks overnight at United Parcel Service (UPS), catching barely three hours of sleep, and squeezing in whatever training he could. Today, all that grind paid off. At the USATF Championships, Patterson just made it to the list for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo! It’s final. This champion will be at the 400m final to represent Team USA. And here’s how it all came together…
Just as the race began today, starting in lane number 5, Patterson slowly overtook everyone on the field. Khaleb McRae looked like he was in the lead, Jacory Patterson was coming from behind, ahead of the 33-year-old, who looked to be at number 3. But then came the curve, and the dynamics changed. Patterson outran everybody ahead for the win. “Jacory Patterson trying to deliver himself his first US title outdoors. And he’s going to do it with style,” announced the commentator as he won the race in 44.16s. A driving force in his success was the brand named after the Greek goddess of victory.
“Since working at UPS and now that you have your Nike sponsorship, has any weight been lifted off of your shoulders a little bit? How’s your life changed?” Patterson was asked in an interview today that is streaming on Let’s Run. The answer? “Financially, yes. But I still kind of practice like I still work at UPS. The work is still going to be put in the same way. I’m not going to be in a comfortable working place. The goals still remain the same. Now to go to Worlds and medals.” The young talent is unfazed by the money; he is still putting himself through the same routine he had with UPS, so that he does not slip into a comfy zone.
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Patterson officially signed his professional contract with Nike in early June 2025, just weeks after his breakthrough at the Grand Slam Track meet in Miami. He also informed that he had just resigned from his UPS job, his last day being June 5th. He also had a better lane today (5), and in the context of that, he was asked about his strategy. Jacory Patterson said having all his competitors in front of him during the race helped him gauge his position and make smarter moves, unlike running blind in outside lanes.
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via Imago
Credit: Instagram/Jacory Patterson
Once he hit 150 meters, he went all out. After winning the U.S. title, he confidently stated he believes he can win at the World Championships, too. Was he thinking about doing this when the year started? “I think it took like for me to, you know, that 43.9 definitely helped. It gave me that confidence that I can go and do it. Week by week, race by race, yeah, for sure.” Jacory Patterson clocked 43.98 seconds at the Grand Slam Track meet in Miami- the world-leading time at that time.
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The new schedule? He said, “I get a full night rest now. I wake up at a good time, go to practice. I still come home and out, though. But other than that, yeah, I’m not working crazy hours. But your practice hours are when, typically? 8:30 to about 12:30. We lift at 8:30, 12:30. If it’s just practice, 8:30 to about 12:30.” He also informed of his previous routine, how he would usually come home around 12:30 or 1:00 and sleep most of the day. The athlete would wake up around 9:45, start work at 10:45, and finish around 4:30. It was often just three hours of sleep. Nike really did help him, but let’s not forget Grand Slam Track for starting it.
Grand Slam Track laid the path for Jacory Patterson
Jacory Patterson’s stunning breakthrough came at the Grand Slam Track Miami meet on May 3, 2025, where he shattered his personal best and became the first American under 44 seconds since August, clocking 43.98s in the 400 m to post a world-leading time, all while still working the graveyard shift loading trucks at UPS. That performance earned him $50,000, enough, he later said, to finally consider quitting his job and committing full‑time to training instead of the relentless routine of early-morning runs after three hours of sleep .
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From UPS to World Championships—Is Jacory Patterson the next big name in track and field?
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From that moment, everything changed. Michael Johnson spoke up. The Miami victory unlocked invitations to Diamond League races, starting in Rabat on May 25, and paved the way to a Nike sponsorship, enabling Patterson to officially clock out for the final time in June. Jereem Richards, who Patterson beat into second at Miami, became one of the first high-profile voices to call for him to get support.“Give this man a deal!” he had said.
Track & Field insiders and fans also rallied behind Patterson. Melissa Jefferson expressed heartfelt support: “Let’s gooooo 😤‼️ so happy for you family 👏🏾,” while Masai Russell welcomed him into the elite circuit: “Welcome to the family. Well deserved”. Let us know how he will perform at Worlds?
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"From UPS to World Championships—Is Jacory Patterson the next big name in track and field?"