400meter

The 400 meter, in athletic terms, refers to a distance of 400 meters and to the 400-meter dash, a sprint event contested on a standard outdoor track. A typical outdoor track is designed so that one full lap equals 400 meters in lane 1, with runs beginning from staggered starts to compensate for the curves. The race is completed on one straight section in many tracks, but the distance runs along two bends and two straights in most facilities.

In competition, the 400-meter dash is a major event in track and field, included in the Olympic Games, World Championships, and numerous international meetings. It is contested by both men and women, with indoor versions sometimes run on a 200-meter track as two laps. Races are run in lanes for the entire distance, and the finish is typically on the home straight.

Records for the outdoor men’s and women’s 400 meters represent the fastest officially recognized times. The outdoor men’s world record is 43.03 seconds, set by Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa in 2016. The outdoor women’s world record is 47.60 seconds, set by Marita Koch of East Germany in 1985. These marks are widely cited as benchmarks of sprint endurance and are rarely challenged due to the combination of top speed and sustained speed required.

Training for the 400 meters emphasizes both speed and endurance, using sprint intervals, tempo work, and strength training. Races demand efficient technique around the bends, efficient acceleration, and a well-timed finishing push.