400 metres

400 m is a common track running event. It is the longest common sprint distance. On a standard outdoor running track, it is exactly one lap around the track. Runners start in staggered positions and race in separate lanes for the entire course. In the United States, athletes previously competed in the 440-yard dash (402.336 m) instead of the 400 m, though this distance is now obsolete.

The current men's world record is held by Michael Johnson, with a time of 43.18 seconds. The world indoor record holder is Kerron Clement, in 44.57 seconds. The current women's world record is held by Marita Koch, with a time of 47.60 seconds (set before the advent of out-of-competition testing). The reigning Olympic champions are LaShawn Merritt and Christine Ohuruogu. The Paralympic world record of 46.56 seconds is held by Oscar Pistorius.^[1]

1 Famous 400 m runners 1.1 Top all-time athletes - men 1.2 Top all-time athletes - women 1.3 Other well-known athletes 2 See also 3 References

(Updated 3 October 2008.)

Rank	Time	Athlete	Nation	Date	Location
1.	43.18	Michael Johnson	United States	26 August 1999	Seville
2.	43.29	Harry 'Butch' Reynolds	United States	17 August 1988	Zürich
3.	43.45	Jeremy Wariner	United States	31 August 2007	Osaka
4.	43.50	Quincy Watts	United States	5 August 1992	Barcelona
5.	43.75	LaShawn Merritt	United States	21 August 2008	Beijing
6.	43.81	Danny Everett	United States	26 June 1992	New Orleans
7.	43.86	Lee Evans	United States	18 October 1968	Mexico City
8.	43.87	Steve Lewis	United States	28 September 1988	Seoul
9.	43.97	Larry James	United States	18 October 1968	Mexico City
10.	44.05	Angelo Taylor	United States	23 June 2007	Indianapolis

(Updated 3 October 2008.)

Rank	Time	Athlete	Nation	Date	Location
1.	47.60	Marita Koch	East Germany	6 October 1985	Canberra
2.	47.99	Jarmila Kratochvílová	Czechoslovakia	10 August 1983	Helsinki
3.	48.25	Marie-José Pérec	France	29 July 1996	Atlanta
4.	48.27	Olga Vladykina-Bryzgina	Soviet Union	6 October 1985	Canberra
5.	48.59	Taťána Kocembová	Czechoslovakia	10 August 1983	Helsinki
6.	48.63	Cathy Freeman	Australia	29 July 1996	Atlanta
7.	48.70	Sanya Richards	United States	16 September 2006	Athens
8.	48.83	Valerie Brisco-Hooks	United States	6 August 1984	Los Angeles
9.	48.89	Ana Guevara	Mexico	27 August 2003	Paris Saint-Denis
10.	49.05	Chandra Cheeseborough	United States	6 August 1984	Los Angeles

• Roger Black
• Alberto Juantorena
• Eric Liddell
• Archie Williams
• Irena Szewinska
• Christine Ohuruogu
• Eric Milazar

• World record progression 400 metres men

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