440-yard dash
Encyclopedia
The 440-yard dash, or quarter-mile race, is a sprint race in track and field
competitions.
In many countries, athletes previously competed in the 440 yard
dash (402.336 m) – also referred to as the 'quarter-mile'. In the 19th century it was thought of as a middle distance race.
World-record holder Lon Meyers of Virginia who ran in the 1880s was the first runner to consistently break 50 seconds at the distance, and ran more 440s under 50 seconds than the total run by all amateur and professional athletes of his era. In 1947, Herb McKenley
of Jamaica set a world record in the event with a time of 46.3 seconds, which he lowered the following year to a new world record of 46.0 seconds. In 1971, John Smith
lowered the world record to 44.5 seconds.
Race distances changes as events with their roots in races of imperial measurements which were later altered to metric-distance races. The 400 Metre Dash is the successor to the 440 yard dash. An athlete who competes in the 400 m may still be referred to as 'quarter-miler'.
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
competitions.
In many countries, athletes previously competed in the 440 yard
Yard
A yard is a unit of length in several different systems including English units, Imperial units and United States customary units. It is equal to 3 feet or 36 inches...
dash (402.336 m) – also referred to as the 'quarter-mile'. In the 19th century it was thought of as a middle distance race.
World-record holder Lon Meyers of Virginia who ran in the 1880s was the first runner to consistently break 50 seconds at the distance, and ran more 440s under 50 seconds than the total run by all amateur and professional athletes of his era. In 1947, Herb McKenley
Herb McKenley
Competitor for JamaicaHerbert Henry "Herb" McKenley OM was a Jamaican athlete, winner of a gold medal in the 4x400 m relay at the 1952 Summer Olympics....
of Jamaica set a world record in the event with a time of 46.3 seconds, which he lowered the following year to a new world record of 46.0 seconds. In 1971, John Smith
John Smith (athlete)
John Walton Smith is a former American athlete, who competed in the sprints events during his career. He is best known for winning the men's 400 metres event at the 1971 Pan American Games....
lowered the world record to 44.5 seconds.
Race distances changes as events with their roots in races of imperial measurements which were later altered to metric-distance races. The 400 Metre Dash is the successor to the 440 yard dash. An athlete who competes in the 400 m may still be referred to as 'quarter-miler'.
See also
- Men's 440 yards world record progression
- Women's 440 yards world record progression