Jacory Patterson worked the overnight shift loading UPS trucks. Now he's one of the world's top 400 runners. [View all]

At night, Jacory Patterson loaded delivery trucks at UPS. That way he could train by day.

This routine went on for nearly a year to support his true dream job — sprinting.

Patterson’s time in the 400 meters this season never has been speedier, even if he’s sometimes sleep-deprived. At 25, he finally is finding his stride and along with it earning a paycheck from track.

His life began to change after winning a Grand Slam Track event in Miami, which led to Diamond League meet invitations and a sponsorship deal from Nike.

Business is booming so much for him that Patterson was able to clock out for the final time in June from his position at UPS. He has the third-fastest time (43.98 seconds) in the world this season heading into the U.S. championships this week in Eugene, Oregon, where he is eager to make even more of a name for himself.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/08/02/jacory-patterson-ups-us-track-championships/