Do you need 200 Meter Speed for 400 Meters? #Beijing2015

This list proves you don’t need to run sub 20.00 for a 200m to break 44, but it certainly helps!

One thing is certain, you must have decent 200m speed if you plan on racing at the World or Olympic level.

There are probably a few errors or omissions in this compilation, but you get the general idea.

My personal favourite is Innocent Egbunike, who would split in 20.9 (or faster) with a 200 meter PB of 20.42!  This man is not afraid of pain!

Of course, more recently, there was Wayde Van Niekerk’s 20.74 200m split, only 0.8 off his 200m PB.  Thanks to Ian Graham for the updated stats.

The Sub-44 Club

Michael Johnson
43.18 (1999); 19.32 (+0.4) (1996); 10.09 (+2.0) (1994)

Butch Reynolds
43.29 (1988); 20.46 (nwi) (1987)

Quincy Watts
43.50 (1992); 20.50A (-0.47) (1987); 10.30 (-0.17) (1987); 10.17w (+3.78) (1987)

Danny Everett
43.81 (1992); 20.08 (+0.3) (1990)

Steve Lewis
43.87 (1988); 20.58 (0.0) (1992)

Jeremy Wariner
43.45 (2007); 20.19 (2006)

Wayde Van Niekerk (RSA)
43.48 (2015) 19.94 (2015) +0.6

LaShawn Merritt (USA)
43.65 (2015); 19.98 (2007) +1.4

Isaac Makwala (BOT)
43.72 (2015); 10.20 (2014) +0.8; 19.96 (2014) -0.4

Kirani James (GRN)
43.74 (2014); 20.41 (2011) +1.1

Yousef Ahmed Masrahi (KSA)
43.93 (2015); 20.93 (2015) +0.3

Rusheen McDonald (JAM)
43.93 (2015); 20.57 (2015) +1.2

Lee Evans (USA)
43.86 (1968);  20.4 (1969); 10.9 (1966)

Larry James (USA)
43.97 (1968); 200m time?

As you can see from the above list, there aren’t many sub 20, 200m guys, meaning the 400m is truly becoming a specialist event, if you want to excel at both events.  Gone are the days of 400-800 combo runners. (well, maybe save the 800m guys for the relay :)

The Others (not a complete list)

Luguelín Santos (DOM)
44.11 (2015); 20.55 (20.13) +0.5; 75.15 (2015) 600m

Steven Gardiner (BAH)
44.27 (2015); 20.66 (2014) +1.9

Alvin Harrison
44.09 (1996); 20.41 (+1.2) (1996)

Jerome Young
44.09 (1998); 20.41 (-1.5) (1998)

Roberto Hernandez
44.14 (1990); 20.2HT (nwi) (1985)

Anthuan Maybank
44.15 (1996); 20.41 (-0.2) (1996)

Innocent Egbunike
44.17 (1987); 20.42 (+0.6) (1983); 10.15 (nwi) (1984)

Antonio Pettigrew
44.21 (1999); 20.38 (+1.7) (1994)

Tyree Washington
44.28 (2001); 20.09 (+2.0)

Sanderlei Parrela
44.29 (1999); 20.60A (+0.5)

Thomas Schonlebe
44.33 (1987); 20.48 (+1.3) (1987)

Mark Richardson
44.37 (1998); 20.62 (0.0) (1997)

Michael Franks
44.47 (1985); 20.62 (+0.4); 10.25 (+1.5) (1984)

Greg Haughton
44.56 (1995); 20.64 (+0.8) (1996)

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Jimson Lee

Coach & Founder at SpeedEndurance.com

I am a Masters Athlete and Coach currently based in London UK. My other projects include the Bud Winter Foundation, writer for the IAAF New Studies in Athletics Journal (NSA) and a member of the Track & Field Writers of America.

@speedendurance

Jimson Lee

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