What is the minimum raw speed of a 400m for a 4:15-4:20 mile?

Apparently from this thread assessing someone's 400m speed is done by putting them in a couple of relays after they have just run at least one race.

Well, every 400 runner ran their fastest time in a 4x4 at the end of a meet after running some other events first. Every single one.

irunforfun32 wrote:

60?! You gotta me kidding me lol. At least a 54 would be doable but guess it really depends on the runner.

Nope. I know a guy who ran 4:15 in high school and had a 400 PR of 59.

Most of the miler/1500m runners I knew with that sort of time could run 53 to 54

ukathleticscoach wrote:

Apparently from this thread assessing someone's 400m speed is done by putting them in a couple of relays after they have just run at least one race.

As off-center as their assumptions are, I can't seem to get over that guys who ran 60 seconds were allowed in 4 x 4s.

The Dirty Duck wrote:

Ca$hclay wrote:

Wow. Did not realize that many kids went sub 4:18 and even if that's a 1600 and not a full mile, that's a lot. In the dreaded 90s, there were maybe 15 of us that went sub 4:18 in Calli. and that's a big maybe. My guess is more like 12 or less.

If by "Calli" you mean California, you are WAY off. There were 4 in my high school my junior year, and only one of us made it past CIF sectionals.

Yes - "Calli" means California.

Define "WAY OFF." Year(s)? Athletes and times? I was late 80s/early 90s and although I'm admittedly a man of advancing age and declining circumstance, I don't recall any schools with that many sub 4:18 milers during that time period. Not even from the brutally competitive southern section. Always thought it unfair that some kid from a rural part of "Calli" (that means California) could qualify for the state meet w/a 4:2X 1600 when kids from so Cal (that means southern California) had to go 4:15ish or faster to get in. Maybe you mean mid to late 90s?

I also call BS on a sub 4:18 not at least qualifying for CIF Finals (or Masters? Whatever meet we held to qualify for the state meet) during that time regardless of the section.

Our distance guys run 4x4s at several meets when they allow unlimited entries. It is not uncommon.

Someonewhoknows wrote:

irunforfun32 wrote:

60?! You gotta me kidding me lol. At least a 54 would be doable but guess it really depends on the runner.

Nope. I know a guy who ran 4:15 in high school and had a 400 PR of 59.

What was his 800 PR? To run 4:15 it would have to be a minimum of 2:00 , which would require him running his 400 PR back to back.

Incorrect. We have told you that we have had guys run 60-2:04-4:18.

saved bell wrote:

Our distance guys run 4x4s at several meets when they allow unlimited entries. It is not uncommon.

Cool.

Faster than ever wrote:

Incorrect. We have told you that we have had guys run 60-2:04-4:18.

60/2:04 and 2:04/4:18 are both impossible. Assuming you ran track, could you run your 400 PR pace, plus 2 seconds, for 2 laps?

Yes. I told you that I had a guy who did just that. I have had other guys go 56-2:00-4:15

I ran 4:04 for the mile and 1:49 for 800 and could barely run under 50 seconds for 400m. Come to think of it, I never broke 50 for 400m lol So, i'd say around 53-54 mid for 400m. When I ran 1:49 I ran 26,28,28,27 for 200m splits so it's not really about pure speed so much if you can make up for it by being a little stronger aerobically.

saved bell wrote:

Yes. I told you that I had a guy who did just that. I have had other guys go 56-2:00-4:15

I don't believe you about the previous guy, but 56/2:00/4:15 is believable and that person should also be capable of 9:00.

poopityscoop wrote:

I ran 4:04 for the mile and 1:49 for 800 and could barely run under 50 seconds for 400m. Come to think of it, I never broke 50 for 400m lol So, i'd say around 53-54 mid for 400m. When I ran 1:49 I ran 26,28,28,27 for 200m splits so it's not really about pure speed so much if you can make up for it by being a little stronger aerobically.

Did you read what you just typed? You claim you top out at 53-54 for 400 meters, but still managed 54/55 for 800. You either tied or just missed your 400 PR by a second and then followed it up with another near 400 PR.

I can't imagine a real 4:04 miler claiming something so ridiculous.

The same year I ran ~4:17, I did a 400 in 53.

You don't believe it? You hardly follow the sport but provide a bunch of opinions. You didn't watch NAU race and you can't even find the results. This is becoming a trend regarding your posts.

OldHS_PArunner wrote:

The same year I ran ~4:17, I did a 400 in 53.

I've met countless 4:15 to 4:20 milers and all them had 400 speed similar to yours. I was 59-60 seconds and couldn't even run strides with those guys.

SDSU Aztec wrote:

Someonewhoknows wrote:

Nope. I know a guy who ran 4:15 in high school and had a 400 PR of 59.

What was his 800 PR? To run 4:15 it would have to be a minimum of 2:00 , which would require him running his 400 PR back to back.

2:03 was his 800 PR. He was and is an aerobic monster but he has no speed.