“There’s not many people that can say they’ve run a 44 second 400m. This is his first 400m outdoors, in five weeks think of what he’s going to be able to run at ACCs. It’s early in the season, the goal is to just keep him healthy and keep him focused. He’s had ups and downs, but this is his time.” These words came from Virginia Tech Associate Head Coach Tim Vaught after this track and field athlete crossed the line at 44.81 seconds in second place at the Florida Relays back in 2021. That was when the man was running in 44, now that he went sub-44 in the Grand Slam Track, how does he feel?
“Man, it’s crazy. I can’t even put it into words right now. Like, I ain’t PR’d in the 400 since 2021,” said Jacory Patterson, following his thumping victory at the Grand Slam Track Miami edition. Not only did the 25-year-old clocked 43.98s in the 400m, but also in a rare feat, dipped under 44s! In a post-race interaction posted on Citius Mag’s YouTube channel, the track-and-field sensation could barely keep his emotions in check.
The reporters also asked him how the last month had been for him, citing his two world indoor medals and then the $50,000 prize in GST. “It’s been crazy, man. Like, I don’t even know what to say right now. Like, I’m just at a loss of words. Like, I give all the thanks to God, man, and my support system.” In the World Athletics Indoor Championships in China, the 25-year-old athlete won the bronze in 400 Metres Short Track (45.54) and the gold in 4×400 Metres Relay Short Track. Did anything or anyone, any change help him do all this?
Patterson gave a shout-out to his training partner, Matt Bowling.”You know, man, my back against the wall right now, man,” he said. The 50k dollars were much needed by the track and field athlete and for once you could see one of the visions of Michael Johnson’s grand slam track coming true. Patterson says, “I got a job loading trucks at UPS right now. I’m getting off at 4 o’clock in the morning every morning during the weekday. ” With his pocket now secured, thanks to his phenomenal GST run, going home he could now focus on training rather than loading trucks. But not everything about his UPS grind is bad.
Turns out, the track and field warrior has quite some friends working UPS shifts and he sure would love to flex his new achievement on them. “We’re probably just going to celebrate and talk about drone patrols,” he continued. Patterson also gave a shout-out to Michael Johnson and Grand Slam Track because of the way the league helps the athletes financially. Also, one reporter asked him more about himself, something we all must have been dying to know.
“I’m the only child, so I’m kind of like introverted a little bit.” He told. Patterson also talked of the 200-meter race that he ran on day 1 of the Miami Grand Slam Track. He felt he should have been in an upper lane and not in the very first. “I don’t know what was going on with that. They had me in lane one, but, no, it was fun, though. It was fun.” He concluded. Talking of that race, how was his run at the Grand Slam Track?
Jacory Patterson’s electrifying Grand Slam Track appearance
At the 2025 Grand Slam Track Miami meet, Jacory Patterson delivered a powerful performance across the 200m and 400m events, asserting himself as a key name in the long sprint division. On 2 May at the Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar, Florida, the men’s 200-meter final of the Grand Slam Track Miami meet saw Jacory Patterson clock 20.55 seconds to finish sixth in a fiercely competitive field. Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards seized the win in a championship-record 19.86 seconds. Patterson’s sixth-place effort earned him 3 points toward the long sprints standings.
The very next day, on 3 May, Patterson delivered a statement in the men’s 400 meters, stopping the clock at 43.98 seconds to claim victory—the only sub‑44 performance of the race. He finished well clear of Jereem Richards (44.32 seconds) and Great Britain’s Matthew Hudson‑Smith (44.37 seconds). That win awarded him 12 points and a $50,000 prize in the long sprints category, bringing his Grand Slam Track series total to 15 points. The Florida Gators alumnus is clearly onto something. The question remains, when will we see him next time? What more does he have in store for us? Only time will tell!
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