As a former athlete, I remember the first 300 meters of the race being somewhat okay. But that last 100 meters is what separates the men from the boys and those who have prepared from those who haven't. I can't imagine the strength it takes to run hurdles over that distance ala Edwin Moses. Whew!!
@@granvillewalkerjr.8394 "regarded" is a well-chosen word there. I applaud you ..but we all know the truth..the only way you can pass thru the first 400m in a sub-50 sec and the 600m in 1:14 sec is by sprinting it. Yes..it's inconceivable that one can sprint for that long...800m
Thanks for posting -an amazing last 150m by Reynolds-that race in Zurich was a watershed in my opinion-he smashed Lee Evans' 20 year-old record at sea level. Steve Lewis was a great 400m runner also, and he helped Reynolds to the record!
+Paul Johnson Correct me if I am wrong, but I think all five of these races were at or near sea level. Doesn't it make you wonder what any of these racers would have done at altitude?
@@daeuri I don't believe Altitude has nothing to do with their times. Oxygen Debt is a problem at Altitude. USA Athletes Trained in Lake Tahoe for the 1968 Mexico Olympics and were flown to Mexico right before their races. Sea Level trained athletes were at a dis-advantage.
As a family, we tuned in to watch Michael in his Olympics. My girls were in school and they were amazed that someone of his size could run that fast. Always proud of his accomplishment for himself and our country
The economy Johnson mastered carrying his amazing sprint endurance strength was amazing to watch.He reached the "zen" state I always dreamed of hitting but unfortunately I never got there.
Time to mention Michael Norman among this elite group.He has already run a 43.45 at 21 yrs old and a 43.06 in a relay. Come 2020 in Tokyo, he has a very good chance of breaking the WR.
Quincy Watts was GETTIN' DOWN on the backstretch of his race! I wonder what his split was for the first 200 meters, and also between 100 and 300 meters.
I wondered why this clip had so many thumbs down,,,,,then I watched it! Besides the spelling error in the title, why wouldn't the publisher list the year and the meet of each performance??
There are some new names that will be added to the list of the top 5 JUSTIN ROBINSON,KENNY BEDNAREK, TYRELL RICHARD, TREVOR STEWART all are in the sub 45.00 bracket.
thnx for posting - butch was totally robbed by that ban and losing those years of training and competition. obviously he could've gone much faster and might still be #1 on the all time list
Great stuff....however you will have to modify this as Wayde van Niekerk (RSA) is officially part of this elite group. Bad Luck for the chap who will drop out of the top 5 group. He is still a great runner
Where is karini james of grenada and van newkirk of south africa. Van newkirk broke mj record and karani ran record time . They not on here . Please update a fan
+McFrosted Lol, definitely. Couldn't even jog a full 400 a couple months ago. My time is now down to 93. Goal is to break 70 seconds in the year. Used to do upper 50 to flat 60 400 meter tempos, all day long, in my distance workouts over a decade ago. These days just wanting to get in better shape; and these vids do help :p
+Carl Morrow run the first turn hard, then relax and lengthen your stride some on the back stretch... then start pushing a little on the next turn... start your kick just before you come around the final curve for the straightaway... don't just try to blaze through the first 200 and then try to hang on... good luck and have fun
I still can't believe that MJ's WR of 43.18s was broken earlier tonight by the time of 43.03s. Update maybe, but the good thing is his CR is still standing.
Tommie Smith(220yd and 200m man mostly) and Lee Evans and Butch Reynolds "True 400 Men" who competed back in day of running on cinder/asphalt tracks consistently posting times for both the 440 yd and 400m sprints below 44.9 seconds flat in single and team relay legs events - NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN BY THOSE WHO "KNOW" WHAT IT TAKES TO "RUN" THESE GRUELING RACES.
In all the competitions it the middle runner that wins; this deserves an independent study; those running in the inside circle were never closer to win;
Those talking about Michael Norman whenever we praise Wayde Van Niekerk, please sit down, talk to us when he wins World Champs gold, Olympic gold and breaks the world record!!!
For sure!!! I have by no means said Merrit is out of it for keeps. Merrit can still become the fastest ever over 400. I am just overwelmed with van Niekerk's performance. It's great for our country as we realy only have a hand full that can compete with the best in the world. It is currently exiting stuff for us in the 400 and 200. wish we had a 100 sprinter up there.
You're even more elite if they're shooting at you and you avoid getting hit as you're sprinting away. Imagine the undocumented records set under such conditions in some of America's worst ghettos.
Now both Leshawn Merrit (43.74) and Quincy Watts (43.50) would be dropped from this list to make space for Michael Norman (43.45) and, of course, Wayde van Neikerk (43.03).
My List: 1. Michael Johnson 2. Wayde Van Niekerk 3. Jeremy Wariner 4. LeShawn Merritt 5. Steven Gardiner 6. Harry (Butch) Reynolds 7. Kirani James 8. Michael Norman 9. Quincy Watts 10. Fred Kerley 11. Isaac Makwala Wayde Van Niekerk will probably surpass Michael Johnson if he ever breaks 43s. Steven Gardiner has a good shot at overtaking Leshawn Merritt and Jeremy Wariner by the end of his career too. Michael Norman could also crack top 5 but he has got to become more consistent. Lastly, it's crazy to think that Fred Kerley is among the greatest 400m runners ever and doesn't even run it anymore... I wish he would switch back, but I can't blame him since he has done well in the 100m and 200m.
Your list comes as close to being right as any I’ve seen! WTF is tommie smith (“I couldn’t beat tommie smith on my best day” lee evans quote) on your list?
2 men running mid 43 second races pushed Wayde to his record! (Those 2 men are the only ones to break 44 seconds & lose a race…..ever!) Michael Johnson never had that kind of competition!
400 meter sprint is second ONLY to the 400 meter hurdles as "THE TOUGHEST RACE IN "TRACK and FIELD"-and maybe NOT ! However, one who IS NOT TRULY APPRECIATED FOR HIS TALENT AND ABILITY and LONGEVITY TO RUN/SPRINT THESE RACES -Dr.Edwin MOSES !
As a former athlete, I remember the first 300 meters of the race being somewhat okay. But that last 100 meters is what separates the men from the boys and those who have prepared from those who haven't. I can't imagine the strength it takes to run hurdles over that distance ala Edwin Moses. Whew!!
Yes i use to do 400m hurdels the worst for me is the last hurdel around the last bend just before the last 100m. Miss athletics!
@@juan-pierreantunes2630 to sum it up in one word...RESPECT!!!
Oh yeah these last 100-200m are just killing you !!
what? have you heard of the 800m? that's a race reserved a special breed of mutant human beings
@@granvillewalkerjr.8394 "regarded" is a well-chosen word there. I applaud you ..but we all know the truth..the only way you can pass thru the first 400m in a sub-50 sec and the 600m in 1:14 sec is by sprinting it. Yes..it's inconceivable that one can sprint for that long...800m
Well there's a new sheriff in town from South Africa. 43.03
Dan D yep
Dan D yeah needs an update
@@swifty1294 Wayde van Niekerk
Michael Norman.
@@standardprocedure7017 Very possible. This could be his time to shine!!
the 400 is brutal
I run the 3200m...
+MuddyCatfish damn I cant do that I run the 400m full speed but 3200m just jogging I dont s ee how people can do it
+Rodney Robinson 3200 is a run , not a sprint. 400m is just for tought people... consistent people , people with strong minds. 3200 is easier
@@darlinleclerc lol its easier because u slow at 400m at 3200m
3200 would different, not easier. Pace is all relevant. Most 400 guys don’t compete against 3K guys.
Jeremy Wariner was always so consistent -looked effortless in doing so too!
I think it now goes
1.Van Niekerk 43.03
2.Johnson 43.19
3.Reynolds 43.29
4.Norman 43.45
4.Wariner 43.45
Edit: wow Gardiner got pretty close 43.48
when they break 40 seconds.....WAKE ME UP....he he
@@flaviushonoriusemperorofro3903 Never happening.
@@yennox5338 no u wrong......with DOPE anything can happen and we all know DOPE rules the sport.
@@flaviushonoriusemperorofro3903 I don't think you have ever done a sport before.
@@sharifbrown3567 yes u right....I never done A DOPE before....he he
Apparently TH-cam wants me to watch this video after 5 years of it's release
Jared Ma right
And 4 years after it became invalidated
I acc searched it up aha
Everyone mentions this. It’s just how the algorithm works
Thanks for posting -an amazing last 150m by Reynolds-that race in Zurich was a watershed in my opinion-he smashed Lee Evans' 20 year-old record at sea level. Steve Lewis was a great 400m runner also, and he helped Reynolds to the record!
+Paul Johnson Correct me if I am wrong, but I think all five of these races were at or near sea level. Doesn't it make you wonder what any of these racers would have done at altitude?
They all had “help” except Michael Johnson!
@@daeuri I don't believe Altitude has nothing to do with their times. Oxygen Debt is a problem at Altitude. USA Athletes Trained in Lake Tahoe for the 1968 Mexico Olympics and were flown to Mexico right before their races. Sea Level trained athletes were at a dis-advantage.
As a family, we tuned in to watch Michael in his Olympics. My girls were in school and they were amazed that someone of his size could run that fast. Always proud of his accomplishment for himself and our country
Size has nothing to do with speed! Example WNC beat Jimmy brown in a race!
Michael Johnson and Ed Moses ... Gods of athletics !
Johnson makes it look so easy running the 400 meters one of the best at that distance.
@@henryschumacher4047 WTF do you mean “one of”?
We need more commentators like the one for michael johsons run 😂😂ion understand what he sayin but that shit get ur blood pumpin
Lmao W
yea he had me laughing during the first half and then got me super pumped for the back stretch. That's Entertainment!
The 400...nearest near death experience I ever had. I ain't ever gonna run that race again
🤣😂 shit is brutal
Less than a minute to run and about 30 to recover
Anthony Berrios whoever invented the 400 ought to be strung up by the thumbs :) I still feel like I’m going to die from the 400, 30 years later :)
Ran 49sec in 1986 … still recovering
@@-ShootTheGlass- ha ha…yeah, the psychological trauma endures. Btw, if you ran a 49-second 400, hat tip from me! That’s fast
You should add dates and events of each performance, to make it an interesting compilation...
Just would have loved to seen what time they would have run if Wariner and Johnson had raced in their prime. Such smooth runners.
Wayde van Niekerk is now the record holder. 2016
Yeah he's rapid he could run a sub 43!
@@callumbush1 could don’t feed the bulldog!
Michael Johnson makes me think of the Energizer/Duracell bunny! =)
Johnson great runner great talker
The economy Johnson mastered carrying his amazing sprint endurance strength was amazing to watch.He reached the "zen" state I always dreamed of hitting but unfortunately I never got there.
He lost records on 200m and 400m also 🙈☕🤭
@@mara009100
He was never pushed/helped in either of the records he set! People who broke his records were!
Give it up for the commentators!! 🤣🤣👏🏽👏🏽 Thts some serious adrenaline and excitement in one
Now the record is 43.03 . Done in Rio 2016
It may be the record but it ain’t the fastest! (“No human being has ever ran faster” still applies to Michael Johnson to this day!)
please update this old video, Wayde van Niekerk is the reigning champ 43.03
My personal best was 46 seconds. I went to the same college as Jeremy Weiner. I met him once, said what’s up
You got a talent. Work harder
@@sidneyblackstone2384 thanks, but I ran track MANY years ago
Thats awesome, im on it right now. Find me a team soon,. 🇧🇼
One of tracks great events
Thanks
Jeremy Wariner....that's "Texas true" right there!!
He ran out of gas after '08 then ppl started saying he needed to move up to the 800m
Time to mention Michael Norman among this elite group.He has already run a 43.45 at 21 yrs old and a 43.06 in a relay. Come 2020 in Tokyo, he has a very good chance of breaking the WR.
Truth Serum He might take it this year.
Quincy Watts was GETTIN' DOWN on the backstretch of his race! I wonder what his split was for the first 200 meters, and also between 100 and 300 meters.
Needs to be updated but still exciting to watch.
Please update new one
Wayde is now tops......
And the way he's running we might even see a sub 43sec sometime soon... lolz
Generaal700600 Johnson went 42.9 on a relay split
@@tjbradley8682 add half second to that for the running start
And don't forget Van Niekirk did it from lane 8. Incredible!!!
Oh yeah, that's right!. I remember, I watched that race. That was nuts!!
& also don’t forget he was pushed by 2 mid 43 second runners!
Good idea for a vid. Baylor track, baby!
When was this?we got the new beast from South Africa 🇿🇦
Needs to be updated for Wayde! South Africa
Another runner, too
Michael Johnson ran so fast his head had to play catch up 😂. There's now a new chief in town though; Wayde
Time to update this?
I wondered why this clip had so many thumbs down,,,,,then I watched it!
Besides the spelling error in the title, why wouldn't the publisher list the year and the meet of each performance??
There are some new names that will be added to the list of the top 5 JUSTIN ROBINSON,KENNY BEDNAREK, TYRELL RICHARD, TREVOR STEWART all are in the sub 45.00 bracket.
"Top 5 fastert 400m runners in history", 0:01
Its like he knew this video wasnt going to be valid in 2 years and flopped it on purpose.
Please update
thnx for posting - butch was totally robbed by that ban and losing those years of training and competition. obviously he could've gone much faster and might still be #1 on the all time list
Wayde will break world record in Rio.He has Cape Town grit in him
Yes, Cape Town is pretty filthy
@@garthn2561 Michael Norman might beat him to it.
the number is Wayde van Niekerk from South Africa. 43.03
Great stuff....however you will have to modify this as Wayde van Niekerk (RSA) is officially part of this elite group. Bad Luck for the chap who will drop out of the top 5 group. He is still a great runner
+Carlo de Vos Cc Merritt has the potential to get back in the top 5...
Wayde van Niekerk is the number one now, Michael Norman is faster than LaShawn Merritt, but just number six now.
Jo An no he isn’t. Michael Johnson is still the best
Michael Johnson ran faster than all of them!
It needs an upgrade, great video nonetheless.
OMFG the Japanese guy yelling at the last race was HILARIOUS
That Butch Reynolds was a great runner.
Especially at drug taking which he was banned for
Colin me imagine if they could test all. Nobody left to race
0:01 Top five *fastert* 400m runners in history
thanks for sharing
Where is karini james of grenada and van newkirk of south africa. Van newkirk broke mj record and karani ran record time . They not on here . Please update a fan
The 400m is the toughest race. The winner is the one who can stand the most pain...
Did anyone notice the woman in red at the 200 metre mark of the 3rd race 7 rows up from the track?
Who's watching this to prepare?
Lol I'm watching for some tips on when to make my move at the end. Where to start my final kick
+McFrosted Lol, definitely. Couldn't even jog a full 400 a couple months ago. My time is now down to 93. Goal is to break 70 seconds in the year. Used to do upper 50 to flat 60 400 meter tempos, all day long, in my distance workouts over a decade ago. These days just wanting to get in better shape; and these vids do help :p
Me. This track season in trying the 400m for the first time and I'm trying to learn good techniques
Alex Gold Dang. I do those now in track. It's a lot of fun. I know when I get older I'm going to miss these days... Sucks you know?
+Carl Morrow run the first turn hard, then relax and lengthen your stride some on the back stretch... then start pushing a little on the next turn... start your kick just before you come around the final curve for the straightaway... don't just try to blaze through the first 200 and then try to hang on... good luck and have fun
What about Wade von Niekerk?
Needed the inspiration
South African Wade v Niekerk is new record holder. He is going to be first man under 43 seconds!!
Wade suffered a major injury and will never get those times again!
Nope!! Now 8/17/23.
Wrong: Michael Johnson has already gone under 43 seconds!
Reynolds perfect pacing. He basically ran even splits (maybe even a negative in the 2nd 200)
Why is Wade van Niekerk not in the list?
Can you do one for the women?
I still can't believe that MJ's WR of 43.18s was broken earlier tonight by the time of 43.03s.
Update maybe, but the good thing is his CR is still standing.
Not for long
+Brendan Jackson you're making me more sad
2017 :)
Tommie Smith(220yd and 200m man mostly) and Lee Evans and Butch Reynolds "True 400 Men" who competed back in day of running on cinder/asphalt tracks consistently posting times for both the 440 yd and 400m sprints below 44.9 seconds flat in single and team relay legs events - NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN BY THOSE WHO "KNOW" WHAT IT TAKES TO "RUN" THESE GRUELING RACES.
“I couldn’t beat tommie smith on my best day”…….lee evans giving tommie smith his just due!
We need a 2019 version
Yip ,Wayde is now the fastest over 400mtrs
No he isn’t; get your facts straight!
@@morrisparrish76 🙈🙈🙈
@@nigelnazeemjohannes85 only Michael Johnson is the fastest over 400mtrs!
What part of “no human being has ever ran faster” don’t you understand?
Damn I just realized this is old, you forgot to add Michael Norman, and obviously Van Niekerk
And Kirani James is tied with LaShawn Merritt btw
In all the competitions it the middle runner that wins; this deserves an independent study; those running in the inside circle were never closer to win;
When I get older I'm going to be faster then all of them and break a recorded in the Olympics
Maybe go to school instead
i like ur guts to say that. all the best man
What's your name
Good luck
Kingwill Gamer me too when I'm over 80
Gotta add 1 more to the list now.
2 more
What happened to Lee Evans?
And his name is Wayde Van Niekerk
Time to update this list.
A couple that looking very good together, Adorable
.
4x400M on 200M track tommorow.. Any tips?
Those talking about Michael Norman whenever we praise Wayde Van Niekerk, please sit down, talk to us when he wins World Champs gold, Olympic gold and breaks the world record!!!
That last commentator was unreal
For sure!!! I have by no means said Merrit is out of it for keeps. Merrit can still become the fastest ever over 400. I am just overwelmed with van Niekerk's performance. It's great for our country as we realy only have a hand full that can compete with the best in the world. It is currently exiting stuff for us in the 400 and 200. wish we had a 100 sprinter up there.
What are you trying to exit?
please update this video -Wade van Niekerk is the fastest 400m athlete-Nr 1
My top 5
5. Leshawn Merritt
4. Quincy Watts
3. Wayde van niekerk
2. Michael Norman
1. Michael Johnson
you need to update the list.
Being an elite 400m runner is a good quality to have if you are ever running from the cops.
You're even more elite if they're shooting at you and you avoid getting hit as you're sprinting away. Imagine the undocumented records set under such conditions in some of America's worst ghettos.
@@wbbils7052 not funny; but some truth spoken here!
Jeremy Wariner has the best running style for sure!
Now both Leshawn Merrit (43.74) and Quincy Watts (43.50) would be dropped from this list to make space for Michael Norman (43.45) and, of course, Wayde van Neikerk (43.03).
None are a pimple on Michael Johnson’s ass!
at 50 seconds the time changes to 43.1 43.2 43.3 too 43.74 wtf? someone explain?
Can some long distance runners (or mid) drop their Snapchat names below so we can be in a groupchat
Van Niekerk would have something to say about this
So would the two mid 43 second men who pushed Wayde !
There’s no one better than “The Duck” Michael Johnson
The announcer during MJ's run was phenomenal. I am not sure what language it is.
Japanese commentators make everything entertaining lol
'Top 5 fastert 400m runners in history' nice one
My List:
1. Michael Johnson
2. Wayde Van Niekerk
3. Jeremy Wariner
4. LeShawn Merritt
5. Steven Gardiner
6. Harry (Butch) Reynolds
7. Kirani James
8. Michael Norman
9. Quincy Watts
10. Fred Kerley
11. Isaac Makwala
Wayde Van Niekerk will probably surpass Michael Johnson if he ever breaks 43s. Steven Gardiner has a good shot at overtaking Leshawn Merritt and Jeremy Wariner by the end of his career too. Michael Norman could also crack top 5 but he has got to become more consistent. Lastly, it's crazy to think that Fred Kerley is among the greatest 400m runners ever and doesn't even run it anymore... I wish he would switch back, but I can't blame him since he has done well in the 100m and 200m.
Your list comes as close to being right as any I’ve seen!
WTF is tommie smith (“I couldn’t beat tommie smith on my best day” lee evans quote) on your list?
Mathew Bowling coming for that WR
did vk Bullshit
Di Vk Not before Michael Norman gets his hands on it.
rip english commentary for Michael Johnson
Wayde Van ??
Wade Ferreira broke that record !
enjoying it now
i saw michael johnson at disney world right after the olympics
I asked "who is Harry Reynolds?". Oh! Butch Reynolds! All 5 are Americans.
The new Top Five Fastest.
Wayde Van Niekerk 43.03
Michael Johnson 43.18
Michael Norman & J.Wariner 43.45
Harry Reynolds 43.29
Quincy Watts 43.5
2 men running mid 43 second races pushed Wayde to his record!
(Those 2 men are the only ones to break 44 seconds & lose a race…..ever!)
Michael Johnson never had that kind of competition!
Not one of these anti wine types but when you’re listing the fastest 400 metres runners in history there is no need to add the gender qualifier! 😂
Michael Norman is on the list now
400 meter sprint is second ONLY to the 400 meter hurdles as "THE TOUGHEST RACE IN "TRACK and FIELD"-and maybe NOT ! However, one who IS NOT TRULY APPRECIATED FOR HIS TALENT AND ABILITY and LONGEVITY TO RUN/SPRINT THESE RACES -Dr.Edwin MOSES !
That is an old video
Michael J. is not a human. THE PEOPLE DO NOT RUN IN SUCH WAY.