Athletics at the 1908 Summer Olympics – Men's 400 metres hurdles

The men's 400 metres hurdles was the longer of two hurdling events at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London. It was the third time the event had been featured at the Olympics. The Olympic record was beat three times in the course of the Games.

Ten sets of hurdles were set on the course. The hurdles were 3 feet (= 91.5 centimetre) tall and were placed 35 metres apart beginning 45 metres from the starting line.

The competition was held from Monday, July 20, 1908 to Wednesday, July 22, 1908.

15 runners from six nations competed.

Records

These were the standing world and Olympic records (in seconds) prior to the 1908 Summer Olympics.



(*) unofficial

(**) This track was 500 metres in circumference.

Harry Hillman ran 53.0 but he knocked over a hurdle and the hurdles were only 30 inches (76 cm) high.

In the first round Charles Bacon set a new Olympic record with 57.0 seconds. In the second round Harry Hillman set a new record with 56.4 seconds. In the final Charles Bacon set a new world record with 55.0 seconds. This record became the first official world record for the 400 metre hurdles.

Results

First round

First round, heat 1

There was no competition for Koops in the first heat.



First round, heat 2

A tight race from start to finish, Coe won by about a metre.



First round, heat 3

Bacon won easily, breaking Godfrey Shaw's 440 yards world record.



First round, heat 4

There was no competition for Harmer in the fourth heat.



First round, heat 5

There was no competition for Burton in the...
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