By night, Jacory Patterson was diligently loading trucks at UPS so that daylight hours could be dedicated to his true passion โ sprinting. This demanding routine spanned nearly a year, fueling his dream of a full-time track career. Despite being sleep-deprived, Patterson delivered his fastest 400-meter times this season. At 25, Patterson is hitting his stride on the track and starting to earn from his talent.
His journey took a pivotal turn after claiming victory at a prominent track event in Miami, which led to invites to Diamond League meets and a sponsorship from Nike. This windfall allowed Patterson to resign in June from his UPS job. With the third-fastest time this year (43.98 seconds), heโs poised to make a significant impact at the U.S. championships in Eugene, Oregon.
โIf everything in life was easy, everybody would be at the top,โ Patterson remarked, reflecting on his progress after winning his 400-meter heat on Friday night. โBut everybodyโs not at the top. Weโve just got to understand, everything wonโt be smooth, green grass. There are going to be some hills and bumps and potholes.โ
Everytime he gears up for a race, Patterson is motivated by a singular thought: to showcase his ability, even if his breakthrough came later. Throughout his college years in Florida, he saw his peers secure lucrative deals while he waited for his moment. His best prior time was 44.18 seconds in 2021. โI knew it was there. I just had to figure it out,โ Patterson explained. โI would tell myself, โMan, youโre young, thereโs no way that youโre done.'โ
Returning to his roots in Columbia, South Carolina, Patterson joined UPS for the night shifts, working from 10:45 p.m. to around 4:30 a.m. He managed a couple of hours of sleep before training sessions at 8:30 a.m. under coach Alleyne Francique, a Grenadian Olympian. โThe hardest part was definitely the three hours of sleep,โ Patterson admitted, while acknowledging occasional nap opportunities post-practice. A constant in his room was the motivational motto, โMind over matter,โ driving him to gain strength and speed.
Patterson kept his mental game sharp through reading, notably a book titled โHung by the Tongueโ by Francis P. Martin, which emphasized the power of spoken words. โJust making sure that you are telling yourself the right things before you go on a track,โ he noted, attributing his achievements to his familyโs unwavering support and divine faith. This discipline extended to pep talks right before every race. โI tell myself, โThey canโt run with you,'โ he shared. โJust things that give me that boost, that grit.โ
Pattersonโs breakout moment began at the Tom Jones Memorial meet in Gainesville, Florida, in April, where he clocked a time of 44.27 seconds, notably beating reigning Olympic 100-meter champion Noah Lyles. โBut Noah doesnโt run the 400,โ Patterson quipped, expressing his desire to compete against the best in the 400-meter field.
In Miamiโs Grand Slam Track series, Patterson seized attention with a personal best of 43.98 seconds, narrowly surpassing competitors like Jereem Richards and Matthew Hudson-Smith, the Paris Olympic silver medalist. This victory was transformative; it not only delivered a $50,000 reward but also facilitated entries into additional elite events worldwide. His Moroccan win in Rabat, against a field that included Olympic champion Quincy Hall, further showcased his prowess.
A significant moment was interacting with Wayde van Niekerk, the world record holder from the 2016 Rio Games, seeking counsel on running faster. โHe says, โItโs just a mental thing,'โ remarked Patterson. Shortly, he secured a sponsorship with Nike, a dream he once thought would materialize straight out of college. โIt just gave me an extra chip on my shoulder โฆ If something doesnโt go my way I always feel like thereโs another way,โ Patterson stated, having graduated from the University of Florida in December 2023.
June 5 marked his final UPS shift, as his full focus turned to training. โI would tell myself at work at night, โThis is going to pay off,โโ Patterson recalled, echoing stories of perseverance leading to success. He remains grounded despite newfound success, emphasizing hard work and humility to keep thriving in the mercurial world of athletics. Additional highlights from the same championship weekend saw Kenny Bednarek and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden taking top honors in the 100-meter races, while reigning champions Noah Lyles and ShaโCarri Richardson secure spots for upcoming Tokyo World Championships.