Ratcliffe views big races as key to growth

By Mary Albl for DyeStat

At the end of his sophomore year, Thomas Ratcliffe felt like something was missing. He told his coaches he hadn’t run in enough big races. 

A year later, the overriding goal of the 2015 track season for Ratcliffe was to gain race experience. 

“We were focused, and he was focused, and we knew what we were going to go after during the indoor season,” his Concord-Carlisle High (Concord, Mass.) track coach, Mary McCabe, said. 

McCabe, who describes Ratcliffe as a somewhat quiet and competitive distance runner, said they used the Yale Classic in January as a measuring stick. Ratcliffe won the mile there in four minutes and 15.47 seconds to beat a quality field. 

He followed that with a fourth place showing at the New Balance Grand Prix (4:10.45) and capped his indoor season running the anchor on the distance medley relay that placed third at New Balance Nationals Indoor to earn All-American status. Ratcliffe ran a 4:05 split on the 1,600 leg. 

“Once you do well in those bigger races it shows you have that ability,” Ratcliffe said. 

 “It sounds very cliché but he’s teachable, he listens very carefully, he’s reflective and combined that makes him a great runner,” McCabe added. 

This spring, he’s continued to progress. In late May, he made the choice to travel to Oregon for the first time and compete in the Prefontaine Classic boys’ mile. He gave up a state meet back home in Massachusetts.

“I think it was a tremendous experience traveling across the country, the time change and all that,” McCabe said. “He’s never been there before.”

Ratcliffe made sure his first race at Hayward Field in Eugene was memorable. Toward the backstretch of the third lap of the race, Ratcliffe, who was running in fourth place, made a  nice move inside and then bolted to the outside and used his speed to jet past Mikey Brannigan and take the lead. Ratcliffe led the field going into the bell lap.

“I actually said to myself 'You’re just awesome,'” McCabe said of watching Ratcliffe. “As a coach, I wish he would have a little more patience.”

Brannigan and a few others came back with a strong kick down the last 200 meters. Carlos Villareal of Rio Rico AZ won the race in 4:05.25.

Ratcliffe finished fifth but in a personal record time of 4:07.63.

“I learned in a big race you really have to be on the top of your game,” Ratcliffe said.

What’s interesting about Ratcliffe’s story though is that he’s been immersed in the sport since he was born. His father, Tom Ratcliffe has a rich running history. He was the first American finisher in the 1987 World Cup Marathon. He now has his own company called KIMbia Athletics, designed for elite distance runners as he serves as an agent/manger role. Ratcliffe manages many of Nike and Bowerman Track Club coach Jerry Schumacher's athletes -- including Shalane Flanagan, Evan Jager and Lopez Lomong.

“He (my dad) told me this story he was in Oregon, I think running the 10,000, and the first lap he got stepped on, and ran the whole race with like  a bloody calf,” Ratcliffe said. 

 But Ratcliffe said he’s never felt pressure to be an all-out track junkie. Ratcliffe said he’s been surrounded by big track names like Usain Bolt. If anything, he’s been able to absorb information. 

“Being around some of those guys, you see what it really takes to be a professional and how hard you have to work,” he said. “And I guess it rubs off on you.”

Ratcliffe has been able to run his own path though. He spent his freshman year playing soccer and wrestling. He joined the track team that spring because his sister was on it. 

This fall he’ll be captain of the soccer team.

The multi-sport athlete said having that varied interest has served him well. He doesn’t have the mileage and comes into indoor fresh off cross country, not burnt out.

Ratcliffe is done racing for the season and said he’s looking forward to next season and racing in college. 

“I’m definitely excited for indoor and outdoor, this was a great season for me,” Ratcliffe said.