University of Massachusets Athletics
Heather MacLean’s Ascent From UMass Track and Field to the Global Stage
May 13, 2025 | Women's Track & Field
Heather MacLean’s Ascent From UMass Track and Field to the Global Stage
AMHERST, Mass. — UMass Track and Field has produced elite runners throughout the program’s storied history, but one of the crown jewels is 1500m specialist and American Indoor record holder Heather MacLean. This winter, MacLean set the American indoor record in the 1500m at the Millrose Games in New York City in February and continues to post some of the fastest times in the world early in the 2025 season.
MacLean, who completed her undergraduate studies in 2017 and earned her master’s degree in 2019, was a standout runner during her time at UMass. Before arriving in Amherst, she had been recruited as a sprinter in high school and primarily competed in the 800m, but she transitioned into a middle-distance runner once in college.
“I realized my talents were really meant more for the 1500m than the 800m. Once I got to the [collegiate] level, there’s much smaller room for error in the 800m than there is in the 1500m. You have to be a good technical racer, but you also have to be a fast racer.”Heather MacLean
At UMass, MacLean racked up awards and honors. She’s a three-time All-American, a ten-time Atlantic 10 champion, an eight-time New England champion, and holds seven individual UMass records, including the 1500m.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today without my experience at UMass,” MacLean notes. “I had such a good support system, and I faced a lot of adversity while I was there. Without that, I never would have been able to compete at the level I’m at today.”
MacLean’s support system included positions with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the UMass volunteering program, where she met other student-athletes—many of whom she is still in contact with today. “UMass really put a focus on education and getting the most out of my experience while I was there; they set me up for a life continuing in sport, while also preparing me for life outside of it.”
In 2018, MacLean signed a professional deal with New Balance Boston. She’s been with them ever since, traveling the globe to compete in various events and races. Notably, she qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, placing third in the 1500m at the US Olympic Trials. The following year, she won a national title in the 1500m at the USATF Indoor Championships.
“UMass really put a focus on education and getting the most out of my experience while I was there; they set me up for a life continuing in sport, while also preparing me for life outside of it.”Heather MacLean
MacLean shared how special it was to compete for Team USA on the global stage. “That's what we all strive for in this sport, to represent where and what we’re from,” MacLean said. “It’s an honor every time and not one I take for granted.”
This February, she won the mile race at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix with a personal best time of 4:23.32. One month later, she posted an astonishing 4:17.01 mile in another race, marking the fourth-fastest indoor mile ever run by any woman. During that same race, she split a 3:59.60 1500m, setting an American Indoor record—breaking a mark that had stood for over 23 years.
Just a week later, MacLean competed in the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, where she finished seventh overall in the 1500m final against some of the best runners in the world.
“I’m at a lot higher mileage now than I was in college,” MacLean explained. “I just focus on running. This is a full-time job, taking care of my body and making sure I’m getting the proper training and recovery.”
She mentioned a specific altitude training program she participates in, located in Flagstaff, Arizona, and how that’s helped her grow as a runner over the years. “We do that every year in January before the indoor season starts.” Altitude training allows MacLean to improve her aerobic capacity, which significantly increases her endurance in the long term.
“The indoor season is about breaking up mileage between indoor and outdoor. It’s a lot of base mileage with a few races thrown in there. The mileage and the altitude training have really helped me become a much stronger athlete.”Heather MacLean
MacLean now looks ahead to the rest of the 2025 season, where she has her sights set on representing Team USA once again. “I'm trying to qualify for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, which are in September.” In order to qualify, she’ll need to meet the time requirements or place high enough at the US Outdoor Championships this season.
Further down the line, she has her eyes on the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. “I’m trying to make it through ‘28 in LA,” MacLean expressed. “That would be amazing, to represent on [the US] Olympic stage for a championship. That would be super cool.”
Now competing on an international stage, she still feels the devotion of the UMass community long after she’s graduated.
“It’s so nice when I go to these meets and there are people from UMass there to support me.”Heather MacLean
MacLean has proved that being a member of the UMass community follows you wherever life takes you. “[UMass] has allowed me to have this awesome professional career, and it’s given me a foundation and support system that I’ll have for the rest of my life.”
