42.9 400m Michael Johnson! 1993 World Championship Relays (Both Men & Women)

42.9 400 SPLIT FOR MICHAEL JOHNSON, THE FASTEST 400 EVER RECORDED! The 4 x 400m Relays at the 1993 Athletics World Championships hosted in Stuttgart Germany were both won by Team USA in two of the fastest times ever. On the women's side Gwen Torrence led off the American team with a sub 50 second clocking. Up next was Maicel Malone-Wallace and her sub 50 second split. She handed off to silver medalist Natasha Kaiser-Brown (not Kaiser Sose as Chris Berman would call her!), who promptly ran a low 49 point leg. On anchor was 1993 400m world champion Jearl Miles (pre Miles-Clark days). Miles blasted a 48.8 split to bring the team home in 3:16.71. On the men's side Andrew Vallmon ran sub 45 from the blocks before handing off to 1992 Olympic gold medalist Quincy Watts. Watts ran low 44 before passing to world record holder Butch Reynolds. Reynolds ran a very impressive 43.2, but would not even run the fastest split of the day as he exchanged the baton to Michael Johnson. Johnson proceeded to light up the track with an amazing 42.9 solo split. The Americans demolished the field to set the still standing world record of 2:54.29. This is still the most amazing team ever put together with all four men running sub 45 for the first time in history.

[@Dezstiney]

This record had the 4 greatest 400m runners at this distance all on the same team in their prime shape for this relay... This record won't be touched for a very long time...

[@frederickweeksjr.1189]

Dezstiney THAT'S RIGHT

[@Kurgosh1]

It was beaten 5 years later, though that record was struck from the books after Antonio Pettigrew was caught doping.

[@floppa933]

@@Kurgosh1 then the record wasn’t legitimately beaten

[@bwilli34]

This never gets old! A sub 43 split is just otherworldly!

[@richmuscle8316]

I don't think people understand what is happening here. HE RAN 42.9 SECOND SPLIT!!!!!!! No one has ever ran that fast before. That's incredible.

[@brianmonyela7136]

david j Kumar u STUPID

[@skababooshka]

Etu Nimi gets the point i am trying to make why yall so thick,

[@brianmonyela7136]

+david j Kumar we nt thick we r agains ur profernity.....

[@JUNIOR43950]

david j Kumar you better go dive in the dirty ass river Ganges...

[@skababooshka]

Brian Monyela profernity! what does that mean? I think the word you are looking for is Profanity , of course you are not thick.

[@redzoom7857]

Michael Johnson was absolutely on FIRE down that backstretch! How the track didn't go up in flames is beyond me. Lol

[@shockjay]

That first leg for Gwen Torrance (49.1) was incredible.

[@billywaynecoakley]

49.1 from Gwen Torrance from a block start! Sizzling time.

[@sportsfan7570]

42.9 split for MJ; one of the most incredible performances in T&F history and 27 years later no has repeated it yet!!!!

[@bo2.4u6]

I'm here in 2023. 42.9. DAMN!!!!!!!

[@sportnerd112]

As fierce as Gwen was in attitude I believe she was a great runnner... after 4 rounds in both the 100m & 200m plus a second leg of the 4x100m she ripped open the mile relay for team USA with a sorcher 49.0 leg!

[@machinemike96]

42.9 split leg for MICHAEL JOHNSON he is obviously the greatest 400m runner ever.

This is among the best performances in track and field history. Just wow. They were completely on a different level.

[@frederickweeksjr.1189]

Michael Johnson is the MAN

[@rogerbeutler5671]

They'll never be this kind of dominance again. Like others have said, we just happened to have the four best 400m runners in the world in their prime.

[@gezzarandom]

Look at the 04 and 08 Olympics

[@intldawn]

I mean, can that even be called a race? That was unreal. The American were on the medal stand listening to the national anthem while the rest of the field was still running. My gosh. They beat the field by 60, 70 meters. Wowzers.

[@shanarobinson7672]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@JohnHoulgate]

42.9 would give any state champion high school 4 x100 relay team a run for its money.

[@cy8685]

Actually, no. The national high school record in the USA is 39.76 - which would beat Johnson by 32 meters.

[@kameroncoleman9293]

@@cy8685 Ok but not everyone runs a 39.76. Most high school teams are around like 41, so Johnson could've been super close.

[@djbear6427]

Not in Texas

[@WorldSacred]

I suppose if you consider Johnson having a running start whilst the team has a crouch start.

[@wilson7357]

@@cy8685 I find 29.27 meters

[@intldawn]

When the race is over halfway through the opening leg. I was never a big fan of Gwen Torrence but sheesh, that was a blistering opening leg. 49.1 out of the blocks? My goodness. 250m in and she'd made up the stagger on the two runners outside of her. They used the word “destructive.” Ain’t that the truth? Girlfriend was FEELING IT. And Jearl Miles. Sub-49 split? Wow. Four runners under 50 seconds. Fantastic.

[@frederickweeksjr.1189]

REAL TALK

[@iangarza990]

under 50? pft. michael Johnson was under 43!!!

[@intldawn]

@@iangarza990 Duh. He’s a guy and had just won the world title. I’m talking about the women. Different bodies and different metrics.

[@iangarza990]

@@intldawn oh sorry bout that i kinda had a brain fart my bad, thx g.

[@scottdavidson4619]

I just can’t believe we’re witnessing a world record and the camera and commentators are focusing on second place.

[@christophjanzen1742]

It is a Championship Record. Watch the time!

[@christophjanzen1742]

Oh, Sorry I was reading the Womens results.

[@ThePaw89]

7:01 LOVE the way Butch leans his head into the corner like he means business. SICK GUY

[@snapmike5156]

They didn’t look surprised at all that they broke the WR. Incredible.

[@Governor_William_J_Lepetomane]

And he got the baton at the start line, and that makes the split more amazing. Not to mention, he ran that all by himself!

[@Ineddiblehulk]

Torrence and Privolova showing what great sprinters can do over the 400m also, to think they are both amongst the best 60m and 100m runners and could still hang on VERY well over the 400m too. Very strong.

[@cassiecreech134]

thank u for these vid's @AthleticsDvd's. I love watching them.

[@namastewellness]

how do you run 42.9 by yourself?! Can you imagine how much faster the time would've been had they had competition? OMG!

[@SiFuJasper]

I know the bulk of the comments were for the men's race, but with what we have seen in recent World Championships and Olympics, it seems to be hard for women to break 50 seconds, yet all 4 US women broke 50s, with the legitimate split of 49.1 by Gwen Torrence in the opening leg!

[@pmodel1]

This record will definitely stand for a while. It seems the U.S. Only has one or two strong 400 guys at a time nowadays. These were the greats all in perfect form.

[@docpj72]

pmodel1 Agree-there were two great legs by Watts and Reynolds both at 43 low to set the table for Johnson to smash the record; Wariner has had great relay legs in 2004 etc. but as you say no other outstanding runners as opposed to these 3 in 1993 and Valmon was no slouch either!

[@cassiecreech134]

the reason there isn't really that many 400m runners nearly as good as these guys, is bc, (in my opinion) they don't wanna put in the training it takes to be the best. the 400 and 800 I think are the 2 most brutal races in track & field. its pretty tough honestly, I use to do it, I know. I hated the 400m. I just wanted to throw up after each race. anyway, it will be a long time if ever we see something like this again.

[@Jescide]

Oh trust me we have a lot more now. 3 years ago to today, much has changed and I could give you a list of 400M American sprinters including myself.

[@Jokenword]

pmodel1 If you put the 4 fastest splits ever together it would put you at 2:52.9... So this record will stand for AWHILE..

[@frederickweeksjr.1189]

pmodel1 THAT'S RIGHT

[@critercat]

What a race! 3 sub-3 minutes, WR, and NRs for 4th and 5th!

[@rogerbeutler5671]

That's got to be one of the most dominating victories in Olympic history.

[@GSMSfromFV]

This was the World Championships, not the Olympics.

[@jamescarpenter6585]

Steve Ovett commentating!!!!… in his prime unbelievable natural talent...the smoothest, most relaxed miler I ever saw!

[@machinemike96]

GREATEST 4X4 TEAM EVER ASSEMBLED.

[@uhegbu]

Phenomenal last leg in the Men's 4x400m relay.

[@shockjay]

Three of the best 400 M runners in history (Johnson, Reynolds, Watts) on this team plus the best first leg (Valmon). I wouldnt' change a thing.

[@jamesmorton8224]

Amazing. Thanks for the video.

[@trspeed012]

usa always has the best 4x4 squads

[@SBRS47]

His form is so smooth. He looks like he's out for a leisurely jog.

[@seandafny]

that is ridiculously insane of him. There are 4x1s in high school getting first place with this time and he runs it all his lonesome. wtf? thats like 10.3 speed all around the whole track. this should not be possible. What is allowing him to perform like this?

[@travz21]

Steroids and lots of training.

[@deshonharris3948]

Dude

[@deshonharris3948]

Really all because he trained he ass off he taken something

[@ndspeedster]

he never took anything and never failed a drug test... moron. some people are just gifted, unlike you

[@cy8685]

MORON!! 42.9 is 10.725 per 100 - none of it from a standing start.

[@intldawn]

When you can't get a wide enough shot on your camera to show that yes, there are other teams in this race. Good Lord.

[@jeffburnett371]

Great runs from both teams, unfortunately for the men (I believe) three of their sub 44 performers had not fully recovered from injury (Steve Lewis - Danny Everett-never did) and in the case of Quincy Watts; led to him being just a shadow of his majestic 1992 incarnation.

[@hypnovia]

a minute and a half

[@jpeezyyeezy8128]

smashed it Brah lol

[@chaddysalright8493]

Hyperbolium ?

[@bugzbunnys]

this is my favorite relay

[@ShengYu1995]

Johnson ran the same race in 1993 for the 400m individual in a time of 43.68....in the relay, its very easy to run better than ur personal best because ur given the inside lane and a 5 meters running head start

[@markfrank5937]

Quincy Watts was for real!

[@willkill7533]

Mens race starts 4:56.

[@gazzelle4]

Great era of track & field! On the men's side, the greatest lead-off runner in US Olympic/World history, former Olympic champ, and two former world record holders! With all of the great women's teams in the past, I think the WR is ripe for the picking.

[@Imashedjesscarabbit]

Michael johson was a beastest back then

[@machinemike96]

Greatest Team ever but together!!

[@cryo9216]

8:25 - "A great world record as been smashed by a minute and a half..." WOW! That's impressive! 😂

[@mc1703]

@Trackmaster14 IAAF rule 170 - Relay Races. Point 9 states that: "The athletes in the third and fourth legs of the 4x400m relay race shall, under the direction of a designated official, place themselves in their waiting position in the same order (inside to out) as the order of their respective team members as they complete 200m of their legs...

[@wfsier]

8:23 "a great world record has been smashed by a minute and a half" um....

[@alsoknownas875]

Honestly, it's a shame...when was the last time we had a 4x4 team like that here in America? When will we ever have one again? WILL we have one again?? Lashawn Merritt just made a major statement in Moscow, running 43.7. Hopefully he can get faster...and where is Jeremy Wariner? Do we have any other elite 400m sprinters that can get under 44, let alone to 43.5 and below???

[@OoogaBoog]

I know it's been 6 years since this comment, but what you're asking for could be within grasp maybe next year :)

[@MrNickSlaughter]

Wariner in relay in Osaka 2007 had 42.9 split leg too. And where he is now...

[@Keegans08233]

Absolute killer

[@hankm77]

Thanks, that would be great

[@Tom57629]

Johnson was a beast

[@Trackmaster14]

i know right! he had every track video under the sun

[@Trackmaster14]

i remember a guy called 1984alan posted this video and ive been looking for it evr since they closed his account... thank you for reposting it :)) but the men's splits are alittle off. although johnson did run a 42.9 which to this day is still just F*ckin AWSOME!!!

[@markswordonthestreet1395]

that should be the 400m record 42.92

[@heretohelpyou221]

Bryce love is a freshman at Wake Forest Highschool. he runs a 48sec 400m. but he is also the fastest kid in the USA.

[@smartDefender4all]

good luck on that

[@Pihasanddunes1]

Good to see Johnson just cruised thru the final 400. LOL.

[@thegrizzly11]

this record is the best record all times.

[@paulouk83]

anyone know what Privalova's split was? How I wish Privalova had raced Torrence in the inidvidual 400 this year

[@athleticsdvds]

The video is up now.

[@Trackmaster14]

I went back and watched the video again. you are correct. The Russian anchor CLEARLY cut across 2 lanes (4 team positions), illegally. Their third leg should have ran to the outside to make the exchange. They should have been disqualified.

[@juninhopernambucano3]

what does it mean ? it's impossible that someone run in 42.93 4oo m

[@gavinwightman4038]

It is probably possible, the world record for open 400 is 43.03 by Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa, but in a relay the times of top runners (going their hardest) are usually lower, due to their split time starting when they get the baton, in which they already have started running.

[@Tuhock24]

Ya he ran 42.93 it’s the fastest 400m ever. This is a relay so it is not the open 400m record. Relays can often be a little faster due to a rolling start

[@frederickweeksjr.1189]

At that time, YES, there's a few coming that might. Either way it was great feat nonetheless.

[@ilect1690]

@@Tuhock24 yeah but it also demands better pacing since you can't go all out at the start since you have to take the baton first, imo the main benefit is being able to have energy to finish fast when it comes to relays

[@hankm77]

Thanks, you're the best

[@collbzz]

Race starts at @5:13

[@jimchurchill5451]

This happened 27 years ago.

[@sbeallvln]

Johnson got the baton BEHIND the line. It's not like he had less distance to run to get a 42.9. Granted, he had a running start. I would love to compare this race to Van Niekerk's world record of 43.03.

[@shawnyoung8752]

Tracks are hightech now. Johnsons 200 in Atlanta. Hot humid. Took .32 off record. Bolt took .14? Bolts best 200 times are how many fastest off all time? He quit at 29? 27 used to be the peak of athletes 30 years ago. Bolt looked like he had no chance. He pulled up in 200? And the relay he just quit.

[@sbeallvln]

After THREE laps, the US mens relay team had a time of 2:11. That's a decent high school time for TWO laps. This team would have completely lapped most high school 800m runners. Unbelievable!

[@johnson36herbalife]

fantastic m.j 42 omg

[@wymeranth]

And Johnson got the baton 1 meter before the line so he ran 401m about.

[@jackalexander102]

According to the commentator the world record was 'smacked' by 'a minute and a half'. lols

[@raheimthedreamable]

wow..i am in awe just by seeing these women run. not being sexist but im in high school and when ever the girls go up no offence but its not very interesting. but seeing this was just amazing.

[@ghugs]

7:44 - "But that battle is still on behind for the other medals...." LOL. Just slightly behind.

[@ilect1690]

"Czech republic" was a term that had only existes for under 1 year and "germany" under 3 years at this time

[@Naeemmolette]

7:31 MJ is moving so fast you cant even see him lol j/k

[@ksanborn42]

8:23 "A great world record has been smashed by a minute and a half" lol

[@Darknamja]

😊

[@gojira931]

Great announcers. No seriously.

[@markfrank5937]

It's bad when you have two separate races in one race. Lol

[@peters6119]

Look at how far ahead they were. Reynolds and Johnson just blew it open. As for Johnson's split of 42.9 it was a relay split so it was with a flying start. Van Niekerk ran 43.03 from a standing start for the current world record which is even faster than Johnson's split here but for 1993 which is a long time ago now this was incredible. It will be a very tough record to beat. It's already lasted for 26 years without any close threat.

[@Daniel-lj2mg]

good for a freshman in high school

[@Trackmaster14]

I just watched it again right now. You're correct he CLEARLY switched positions. The Russian third leg should have moved to the outside. They shoud have been QDed.

[@1976stoney]

Also struck by Torrences first leg-amazingly fast.Does anyone know if 49.1 is the fastest first leg ever?I think 47.75 by Kratachvilova is the fastest anchor.

[@steveabson2666]

That was the best first leg I have ever seen!!!

[@MONTEROremi]

42''93 wouahhh !!!

[@Imashedjesscarabbit]

i call him a beastest because 6 year later he runed a time what will never be broken for another 15 years in 400m and bolt will not move to do the 400m because the trainng for it is to hard and i understand him on that.

[@dog-tc5uc]

Another 4 years*

[@ThemCubes]

8:26 the record broken by a minute and a half :P

[@BlueHopi144]

probably the best 4 By 400 relay team ever build ! only amazing Us runners ! Mikael was just like phelps in swimming , A Monster runner ! love those times

[@Edward27871]

no fucking shit, world class runners would absolutely demolish high school runners.

[@warriordragonify]

Splits should be timed as the baton crosses the midpoint of the exchange zone, I believe, regardless of who is holding the baton. Of course a given runner may be holding the baton for more or less than the "split" distance. I think....

[@SBK2552]

wr smashed by a minute and a half........OMGWTFBBQ SAUCE!!! if it was smashed by a minute and a half, then each person would have had to run about 20 seconds per 400m which is impossible lol

[@masterleon40]

he said a second and a half. bruh listen again.

[@David-jr9ox]

Ignacio Rodrigues I’m replying extremely late but he said minute and a half after a second and a half

[@David-jr9ox]

8:25

[@Pakiljo83]

Thanks for this!!! Just I dont know why is stadium crowd pretty muted on the video.

[@ranhill]

anybody see frenchy slam the baton after he finishes the race? He could have created a new Olympic sport: The baton slam toss

[@michaelmandato]

No - he has the baton before the 400m start line, but he isn't starting from blocks - he is already jogging, enabling him to start faster.

[@lebodiego]

Great video ! Do you have the final of 4x100 too ?

[@nowhiteflagscrooklyn3191]

Would've love to see this same team indoors. 🤔🤔

[@athleticsdvds]

You bet, let me know if there is something else you would like to see!

[@jhernandez16]

Johnson's last leg, 42.9 is not a world record only because during the relay, as the last leg, you don't start from an at rest position. The current world record is 43.18 held by Johnson.

[@pnutbutrncrackers]

At 7:52 did anyone else think of Secretariat at the Belmont Stakes?

[@quadbravo]

MJ ran 21.203 MPH ....the whole way. Which means he exceeded that as a top speed to account for acceleration from 0. Un-be-freakin-lievable.

[@bananaminge]

42.93 WOW

[@hatborojerry]

Record splits mean.nothing in a relay .where you get the baton in the passing zone determines your split time. Final results are what count