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Unlike the flat 400 metres, the history of the men’s long hurdles follows a largely continuous progression despite the transition from 440 yards hurdles (402.34 metres) to the modern 400 metres hurdles. During the nineteenth century and the early years of organised athletics, most major competitions were contested over the imperial distance before metric events became the international standard.

Before the establishment of the IAAF and the introduction of official World Record ratification in 1912, the fastest performances were recognised as world bests by national athletics organisations and contemporary publications. Although these marks were achieved over 440 yards rather than 400 metres, the difference in distance was relatively small and the event retained essentially the same technical characteristics, with ten hurdles distributed around one lap of the track. Consequently, the historical progression is generally presented as a single continuous record line.

Following the adoption of metric distances for international championships, the 400 metres hurdles became the official discipline. Improvements in hurdle technique, track surfaces, training methods and race strategy have since driven the steady evolution of the World Record, establishing the event as one of the most demanding combinations of speed, rhythm and endurance in athletics.

400m Hurdles World Record Progression – Men Data Table

Performance	Athlete	Country	Date	Location	Competition	Notes
55.0	Charles J. Bacon	USA	22/7/1908	London	The IV Olympic Games
54.0	Frank Loomis	USA	16/8/1920	Antwerp	The VII Olympic Games
53.8	Sten Pettersson	SWE	4/10/1925	Paris	Colombes International Meeting
52.6	John Gibson	USA	2/7/1927	Lincoln	Meeting
52.0	Morgan Taylor	USA	4/7/1928	Philadelphia	Meeting
52.0	Glenn F. Hardin	USA	1/8/1932	Los Angeles	The X Olympic Games
51.8	Glenn F. Hardin	USA	30/6/1934	Milwaukee	AAU Championships
50.6	Glenn F. Hardin	USA	26/7/1934	Stockholm	International Meeting
50.4	Yuriy Lituyev	URS	20/9/1953	Budapest	International Meeting
49.5	Glenn Davis	USA	29/6/1956	Los Angeles	US Olympic Trials
49.2	Glenn Davis	USA	6/8/1958	Budapest	International Meeting
49.2	Salvatore Morale	ITA	14/9/1962	Beograd	European Athletics Championships
49.1	Rex Cawley	USA	13/9/1964	Los Angeles	US Olympic Trials
48.8	Geoff Vanderstock	USA	11/9/1968	Echo Summit	Meeting
48.1	David Hemery	GBR	15/10/1968	Ciudad de M?xico	The XIX Olympic Games
47.8	John Akii-Bua	UGA	2/9/1972	München	The XX Olympic Games
47.82	John Akii-Bua	UGA	2/9/1972	München	The XX Olympic Games
47.64	Edwin Moses	USA	25/7/1976	Montreal	The XXI Olympic Games
47.45	Edwin Moses	USA	11/6/1977	Westwod CA	Meeting
47.13	Edwin Moses	USA	3/7/1980	Milano	International Meeting
47.02	Edwin Moses	USA	31/8/1983	Koblenz	International Meeting
46.78	Kevin Young	USA	6/8/1992	Barcelona	The XXV Olympic Games
46.70	Karsten M Warholm	NOR	1/7/2021	Oslo	Bislett Games
45.94	Karsten M Warholm	NOR	3/8/2021	Tokyo	The XXXII Olympic Games