Description

It is the longest common sprint distance. On a standard outdoor running track, it is exactly once around the track in the inside lane. This is the longest distance that is usually run in lanes all the way round. A successful runner will need an efficient stride and superior speed, and a small amount of non-fast twitch muscles to be competitive.

Running the 400m is a tricky balance between speed and judgement - go off too fast and you will die in the last 100m, but go too slowly and you may not catch the leading runners in time.

Greats: Michael Johnson

Cool Gear

(born September 13, 1967 in Dallas, Texas), is a former U.S. sprinter who holds world records in the 200m (19.32 s), 400m (43.18 s) and 4 x 400m relay (2:54.20, as part of the USA team). He won five Olympic gold medals and was a world champion nine times. He was the first man to win both the 200m and 400m races at the same Olympics, accomplishing the feat at the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Nike Men's Zoom Maxcat

Nike’s lightest sprint spike designed for the serious 100-400 meter sprinter who craves lightweight and flexibility. Minimal, light and uniquely crafted synthetic (perforated) leather upper adds lightweight breathability and support, integrated forefoot lockdown. Low-profile midsole. Flexible Pebax® plate lets the foot act naturally on the ground for great performance, five removable pin plate. Wt. 5.5 oz.

Links

» Jeremy Wariner
» Michael Johnson

Nike Women's Zoom Rival S III

The Nike Zoom Rival S III is a entry-level sprint shoe designed for the high school athlete. Lean and light synthetic one-piece vamp creates perfect forefoot lockdown for power transfer. Thin EVA wedge midsole. Full-length solid rubber outsole. Nylon seven-spike plate provides optimal traction on many surfaces.

Johnson was noted for his unique running style. His upright stance and very short steps defied the perceived wisdom that a high knee lift was essential for maximum speed. Whether this affects his speed is still a mystery.

Johnson ended his career at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney by winning the 400m gold and 4 x 400m relay race, bringing his total number of Olympic gold medals to five.
Johnson has run 22 400-meter races under 44 seconds. In the 200m, he has six times under 19.80 s and 17 sub-20 second performances. He also holds the world record at 300m — 30.85 s. The former record was 31.48 s.
He was also nicknamed the "Duck" for his unique running style. With the head bobbing backwards and forward, straight back and not much arm drive. When asked by a reporter "If you had a usual running technique like other runners do you think you would go fasrter?". His response was "If I ran like all the other runners, I would be back there with them".

Since retiring from competitive sport he has worked as a television athletics pundit, often for the BBC in the United Kingdom. He received the James E. Sullivan Award in 1996 as the top amateur athlete in the United States.

Nike Men's 9" Dri-FIT Running Short

The Nike Dri-FIT® running short works overtime to keep you comfortable no matter what kind of paces you put it through. Elastic waist short with internal drawcord. On-seam pockets, contrast mesh insets at side leg. Side vent and self-fabric binding at hem. Swoosh design trademark embroidered at left hem. Dri-FIT® 86% polyester/14% spandex woven with Dri-FIT® 100% polyester crepe liner. 9" inseam. Imported.

Greats: Valerie Brisco-Hooks

Valerie Brisco-Hooks was born on Wednesday, 6th July 1960 in Greenwood, Mississippi.
EVENT(S):
200m, 400m, 4x400m Relay
CHAMPIONSHIP PERFORMANCES:
Olympics: 1984 Gold 200m, Gold 400m, Gold 4x400m, 1988 silver 4x400m. Worlds: 1987 bronze 4x400m.

Where to get it:
» Niketown
» Nike.com
» Footlocker
» Eastbay
» Ernst Sporting Goods
» Dick's Sporting Goods

TYR Women's Tankini

The TYR Tankini is designed for high-performance. Constructed of DriMax™ hydrophilic cationic polyester/Lycra® blend for superior moisture management, less resistance and enhanced speed. Features plush elastic, full support bra and back pocket with concealed zipper. Imported.

Where to get it:
» Footlocker
» Eastbay
» Ernst Sporting Goods
» Dick's Sporting Goods » TYR.com

After her phenomenal triple gold medal winning performance at the 1984 Olympic Games, it was not surprising that Valerie Brisco-Hooks had difficulty maintaining that form the following year. Nevertheless, she turned in some impressive performances in 1985. Her greatest achievement was at the Weltklasse meeting at Zurich on 21 August where she beat the top East German sprinter Marlies Gohr over 100m in a personal best time of 11.01sec, and on the same day, she defeated world record holder Marita Koch (East Germany) over 200m in 21.98sec. Her fastest time over 400m was 49.56sec recorded at West Berlin on 23 August. In 1986, she again performed better at the shorter distances, improving her 100m personal best to 10.99sec when winning an early season meet at Westwood in May. Her best time over 200m was 22.24sec, but her best performance was at the Grand Prix final in Rome on 10 September where she won the 200m in 22.30sec and came second to world record holder Marita Koch in the 400m in 50.21sec. At the 1987 World Championships in Rome, she did not compete in either the individual 200m or 400m events, but she was a member of the USA 4 x 400m relay team which won the bronze medal. In 1988 Brisco-Hooks concentrated on the 400m in a bid to defend her Olympic title at the Seoul Olympic Games. She ran her best time (49.90sec) of the year in finishing second in her semi-final at Seoul, but in the final, finished a disappointing fourth in 50.16sec. In the 4 x 400m relay final, held on 1 October, Brisco-Hooks finished her career in grand style, running the third leg (see photo above) for the USA team which broke the existing world record, but unfortunately finished second to the team from the Soviet Union. (Ron Casey)

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