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The World Record is 30.85A (altitude) set by Michael Johnson. LaShawn Merritt also ran 31.30 in 2009 which is the current “sea-level world record”.
Based on his last 2 races, his Daegu 9.86 100 meter and Shanghai 19.76 200m, do you think he can break the World Record? There was some discussion on How Fast Can Usain Bolt Run the 300 meters?
His Diamond League 200m debut looked pretty easy, but can he run the same way and hang on to run another 100 meters in 10 flat? That would make it 30.76.
Bolt claims to have run a 31.0 hand time in practice.
In his opening 400m back in February, he splits 200m in 21.1 and 32.6 at 300m. His last 100m was run in 13.0.
The closest threat is Gary Kikaya with a personal best of 31.95 set in 2005. Other than that, it’s simply another time trial for Usain Bolt.
The 300 meter Start Line Stagger
The big question is the lane draw. The outer lanes start on a straight line. The inside lanes have the initial curve to negotiate. When Michael Johnson set the WR, he requested lane 6 to take advantage of this fact.
Here is an awesome photo that shows the 300 meter stagger.
PHOTO CAPTION: 300 meter low hurdles during the CIF-SS Track and Field Finals at Cerritos College on Saturday, May 22, 2010 in Cerritos PHOTO CREDITS: Keith Birmingham SOURCE: mycapture.com
Usain Bolt 300 meter Ostrava World Record? Sorry, 30.97
UPDATE: Check back on this site in a few hours for the latest Video of Usain Bolt’s 30.97 300 meter performance in Ostrava, an official sea level world best.
Jimson Lee
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You mean 11 flat Mr Lee. :D, which seems well within Bolt’s abilities
@Nathaniel – yes, thanks for the correction. Though a sub 30 might be possible?
Well he just ran a 30.97. That’s excellent given the weather conditions!!! I bet you Micheal Johnson is jumping for joy for the fact that he still has his 300 best, lol
What a fantastic athlete, competitor, and performer. Usain Bolt is the type of athlete who graces the sports world once every 50 years. I am quite certain that Bolt would have eclipsed Michael Johnson’s 30.85 seconds world record if there had been dry conditions. Even so, Bolt’s effort qualfies as the “low altitude” standard. By my calculations, the extremely high altitude abetted Johnson to the tune of .3 seconds. Bolt never ceases to amaze me, the way that inclement weather has little effect on his performances. One quick observation, the video listed Bolt’s 100 meter split as 9.07 seconds! I know he is a whirlwind. But, I don’t think he is capable of a 9.07 seconds 100 meter split from a standing start in the rain.
I think the 9.07 split was the 200m waterfall line, or 200m strat line for Lane 1.
Very good time for the great Usain Bolt in his first 300m official.
The time is incredible, 30.97 with rain and wet track.
In adittion the time 30.85 of Michael Johnson is in altitude(almost 1300 meters) and probably with very good weather.
FANTASTIC FOR USAIN BOLT
Jimson, I want to see Bolt take this on again! I don’t know what his desire is. But last year in London he did that 19.32 easing off through the final 15m after the rounds of 100m, and it wasn’t that warm in London. He’s definitely capable of 30.5 in good conditions.
The way he runs those 20.1-20.3 in the rounds of the 200m makes me think he could go 19.8-19.9 and at least 10.7 final 100m
@NLS, I can assure you Bolt is being highly selective on his races. He certainly surprised everyone in 2012 with a not so great start to the season, then *BANG*, 3 Olympic Golds. He is under a microscope everywhere he goes, including visits to “Healing Hans”.
Perhaps next year without big championships he try again 300m
If the weather is good and he is good shape he can to make 30.7 easily.
30.85 is “WR” but in high altitude
Bolt would have “WR” at sea level ;)
@FRANK, yes, a fit healthy Bolt should demolish the 300m WR if he has trained for it.