Greatest Relay Leg - Herb McKenley 1952 Olympics 4×400m World Record

November 13, 2008 by Jimson Lee

With the passing of Larry James, and his gold medal in the 4×400m relay in Mexico City, I decided to surf around for some great relay moments. In that relay, I am impressed how Ron Freeman opened up an insurmountable lead as their second runner. In fact, Kenya was in first place at the 500m break for the pole position. When was the last time Kenya had a 4×400m relay team?

Then we have the 1990 Mt. SAC Relays - Men’s 4×400m. In this video, 3rd leg Butch Reynolds (45.3) hands off to Anchor Danny Harris (45.3). For the Santa Monica Track Club, Kevin Young (45.6) hands off to Danny Everett (44.1). If you want a clinic on how to run relax, watch how Danny stays relaxed, takes out his fishing pole, and reels him in!

I already wrote about Darold Williamson Greatest Anchor Leg from the 2004 NCAA Indoor 4×400.

But the winner for the Greatest Relay Leg goes to the Jamaica at the 1952 Olympics 4×400m, set in a World record.

Jamacain Herb McKenley is the only man to have reached the finals of the Olympic 100 meters, 200 meters and 400 meters. He was also the first man to run the quarter mile under 46 seconds and under 45 seconds.

After Five Olympic Finals, he eventually won his first Gold medal:

* 1948 Olympics London 200 meters - 4th
* 1948 Olympics London 400 meters - Silver
* 1948 Olympics London 4×400 meters - DNF (anchor leg pulled a hamstring)
* 1952 Olympics Helsinki 100 meters - Silver
* 1952 Olympics Helsinki 400 meters - Silver
* 1952 Olympics Helsinki 4×400 meters - Gold!

In this video, which has no sound, watch how 3rd leg Herb McKenley in a 44.6 split makes up the lead to give the final baton pass to George Rhoden to beat the Americans in a WR of 3:03.9. Note the 2-turn stagger and running on cinder tracks!

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