4 × 400 metres relay explained

Event:	4 × 400 metres relay
Image Upright:	1.15
Wrmen:	(Andrew Valmon, Quincy Watts, Butch Reynolds, Michael Johnson) 2:54.29 (1993)
Ormen:	(Christopher Bailey, Vernon Norwood, Bryce Deadmon, Rai Benjamin) 2:54.43 (2024)
Crmen:	(Andrew Valmon, Quincy Watts, Butch Reynolds, Michael Johnson) 2:54.29 (1993)
Wrwomen:	(Tatyana Ledovskaya, Olga Nazarova, Mariya Pinigina, Olga Bryzgina) 3:15.17 (1988)
Wrmixed:	(Vernon Norwood (M), Shamier Little (W), Bryce Deadmon (M), Kaylyn Brown (W)) 3:07.41 (2024)
Crmixed:	(Justin Robinson (M), Rosey Effiong (W), Matthew Boling (M), Alexis Holmes (W)) 3:08.80 (2023)
Ormixed:	(Vernon Norwood (M), Shamier Little (W), Bryce Deadmon (M), Kaylyn Brown (W)) 3:07.41 (2024)
Orwomen:	(Tatyana Ledovskaya, Olga Nazarova, Mariya Pinigina, Olga Bryzgina) 3:15.17 (1988)
Crwomen:	(Gwen Torrence, Maicel Malone-Wallace, Natasha Kaiser-Brown, Jearl Miles) 3:16.71 (1993)

The 4 × 400 metres relay or long relay is an athletics track event in which teams consist of four runners who each complete 400 metres or one lap, totaling 1600 meters. It is traditionally the final event of a track meet. The first leg and the first bend of the second leg are run in lanes. Start lines are thus staggered over a greater distance than in an individual 400 metres race; the runners then typically move to the inside of the track. The slightly longer 4 × 440 yards relay, on an Imperial distance, was a formerly run British Commonwealth and American event, until metrication was completed in the 1970s.

Format

Relay race runners typically carry a relay baton which they must transfer between teammates. Runners have a 20 m box (usually marked with blue lines) in which to transfer the baton. The first transfer is made within the staggered lane lines; for the second and third transfers, runners typically line up across the track despite the fact that runners are usually running in line on the inside of the track. This prevents confusion and collisions during transfer. Unlike the 4 × 100 m relay, runners in the 4 × 400 typically look back and grasp the baton from the incoming runner, due to the fatigue of the incoming runner, and the wider margins allowed by the longer distance of the race. Consequently, disqualification is rare.

As runners have a running start, split times cannot be compared to individual 400 m performances. Internationally, the U.S. men's team has dominated the event, but have been challenged by Jamaica in the 1950s and Britain in the 1990s. The current men's Olympic champions are from the United States.

According to the IAAF rules, world records in relays can only be set if all team members have the same nationality.

Mixed-gendered 4 × 400 metres relays were introduced at the 2017 IAAF World Relays, with the IAAF first recognizing a world record in that event at the 2019 World Athletics Championships. In March 2022 World Athletics Council decided a set order – man, woman, man, woman – at future championships.^[1]

Records

See also: Men's 4 × 400 metres relay world record progression, Women's 4 × 400 metres relay world record progression and Mixed 4 × 400 metres relay world record progression.

World Records

Note: The IAAF rescinded a time of 2:54.20 set at Uniondale on 22 July 1998 by the United States (Jerome Young, Antonio Pettigrew, Tyree Washington, Michael Johnson) on 12 August 2008 after Pettigrew admitted to using human growth hormone and EPO between 1997 and 2003.^[3]

Note: The above world record was bettered by three teams at the 2018 NCAA Division I Championship on 10 March 2018 at the Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium in College Station, United States:

• 3:00.77 by the USC team of Zach Shinnick, Rai Benjamin, Ricky Morgan Jr., Michael Norman). This time was not record-eligible because Benjamin was a citizen of Antigua & Barbuda, and the others are United States citizens. Benjamin has since switched to represent the United States.
• 3:01.39 by the Texas A&M team of Ilolo Izu, Robert Grant, Devin Dixon and Mylik Kerley. All four runners represent the United States, and World Athletics currently lists this as the NACAC area record, but it has not been ratified as the world record.^[5]
• 3:01.43 by the Florida team of Kunle Fasasi, Grant Holloway, Chantz Sawyers, and Benjamin Lobo Vedel. This time was not record-eligible because Fasasi represents Nigeria, Holloway represents the United States, Sawyers represents Jamaica, and Vedel represents Denmark.

Note: The above world record was bettered in a time of 3:21.75 by the University of Arkansas team of Amber Anning, Joanne Reid, Rosey Effiong, and Britton Wilson at the 2023 NCAA Division I Indoor Championship on 11 March 2023 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States. This time was not record-eligible because Anning was a citizen of Great Britain, Reid was a citizen of Jamaica, and Effiong and Wilson were United States citizens.^[6]

Continental Records

• Updated 10 August 2024.^{[8] [9] [10]}

Area	Men			Women			Mixed
	Time	Athletes	Team	Time	Athletes	Team	Time	Athletes	Team
Africa	2:54.53	Bayapo Ndori, Busang Collen Kebinatshipi, Anthony Pesela, Letsile Tebogo		3:21.04	Olabisi Afolabi, Fatimat Yusuf, Charity Opara, Falilat Ogunkoya-Osheku		3:11.88	Zablon Ekhal Ekwam, Mary Moraa, Kelvin Sane Tauta, Mercy Chebet
Asia	2:58.33	Yuki Joseph Nakajima, Kaito Kawabata, Fuga Sato, Kentaro Sato		3:24.28	Xiaohong An, Xiaoyun Bai, Chunying Cao, Yuqin Ma		3:11.82	Musa Isah, Aminat Yusuf Jamal, Salwa Eid Naser, Abbas Abubakar Abbas
Europe	2:55.83	Alex Haydock-Wilson, Matthew Hudson-Smith, Lewis Davey, Charles Dobson		3:15.17 WR	Tatyana Ledovskaya, Olga Nazarova, Mariya Pinigina, Olga Bryzgina		3:07.43	Eugene Omalla, Lieke Klaver, Isaya Klein Ikkink, Femke Bol
North, Central Americaand Caribbean	2:54.29 WR	Andrew Valmon, Quincy Watts, Butch Reynolds, Michael Johnson		3:15.27	Shamier Little, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabrielle Thomas, Alexis Holmes		3:07.41 WR	Vernon Norwood, Shamier Little, Bryce Deadmon, Kaylyn Brown
Oceania	2:59.70	Bruce Frayne, Darren Clark, Gary Minihan, Rick Mitchell		3:23.81	Nova Peris-Kneebone, Tamsyn Manou, Melinda Gainsford-Taylor, Cathy Freeman		3:17.00	Bendere Oboya, Anneliese Rubie-Renshaw, Tyler Gunn, Alex Benn
South America	2:58.56	Eronilde Nunes De Araújo, Anderson Jorge Oliveira Dos Santos, Claudinei Quirino Da Silva, Sanderlei Claro Parrela		3:26.68	Geisa Aparecida Coutinho, Barbara Farias De Oliveira, Joelma Das Neves Souza, Jailma Sales De Lima		3:14.48	Jhon Perlaza, Lina Licona,, Evelis Aguilar

Notes

1. News: Key competition decisions made at 227th World Athletics Council Meeting. World Athletics. 15 March 2022. 9 April 2022.
2. Web site: 4x400 Metres Relay Records – outdoor. International Association of Athletics Federations. 1 September 2011.
3. News: IAAF deletes Americans' 4 × 400 m world record from the books. 1 September 2011. The Star. Malaysia. 13 August 2008. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121019125624/http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=%2F2008%2F8%2F13%2Folympics%2F22071007&sec=Olympics. 19 October 2012.
4. Web site: 4x400 Metres Relay Records – indoor. World Athletics. 14 August 2021.
5. News: Norman breaks world indoor 400m record at NCAA Indoor Championships. IAAF. Roy Jordan. 10 March 2018. 12 March 2018.
6. News: Alfred, Garland and Wilson threaten world records at NCAA Indoor Championships. World Athletics. 12 March 2023. 23 March 2023.
7. Web site: 4x400 Metres Relay - mixed - senior - all . 2024-08-10 . worldathletics.org.
8. Web site: Stats World Athletics World Athletics . 2024-08-10 . worldathletics.org.
9. Web site: Stats World Athletics World Athletics . 2024-08-10 . worldathletics.org.
10. Web site: Stats World Athletics World Athletics . 2024-08-10 . worldathletics.org.

All-time top 10 by country (outdoor)

Men

• Correct as of August 2024.^{[11] [12]}

Rank	Time	Team	Nation	Date	Place	Ref
1	2:54.29	Andrew Valmon, Quincy Watts, Butch Reynolds, Michael Johnson		22 August 1993	Stuttgart
2	2:54.53	Bayapo Ndori, Busang Collen Kebinatshipi, Anthony Pesela, Letsile Tebogo		10 August 2024	Saint-Denis
3	2:55.83	Alex Haydock-Wilson, Matthew Hudson-Smith, Lewis Davey, Charles Dobson		10 August 2024	Saint-Denis
3	2:56.72	Chris Brown, Demetrius Pinder, Michael Mathieu, Ramon Miller		10 August 2012	London
4	2:56.75	Michael McDonald, Gregory Haughton, Danny McFarlane, Davian Clarke		10 August 1997	Athens
5	2.57.18	Liemarvin Bonevacia, Terrence Agard, Tony van Diepen, Ramsey Angela		7 August 2021	Tokyo	^[13]
6	2:57.27	Issac Makwala, Baboloki Thebe, Zibane Ngozi, Bayapo Ndori		7 August 2021	Tokyo
7	2:57.75	Jonathan Sacoor, Dylan Borlée, Kévin Borlée, Florent Mabille		10 August 2024	Saint-Denis
8	2:58.00	Piotr Rysiukiewicz, Tomasz Czubak, Piotr Haczek, Robert Maćkowiak		22 July 1998	New York
9	2:58.12	Jarrin Solomon, Jereem Richards, Machel Cedenio, Lalonde Gordon		13 August 2017	London
		Gardeo Issacs, Zakithi Nene, Lythe Pillay, Antoine Matthys Nortje		10 August 2024	Saint-Denis

Women

• Correct as of August 2024.^{[14] [15]}

Rank	Time	Team	Nation	Date	Place	Ref
1	3:15.17	Tatyana Ledovskaya, Olga Nazarova, Mariya Pinigina, Olga Bryzgina		1 October 1988	Seoul
2	3:15.27	Shamier Little, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabrielle Thomas, Alexis Holmes		10 August 2024	Saint-Denis	^[16]
3	3:15.92	Gesine Walther, Sabine Busch, Dagmar Rübsam-Neubauer, Marita Koch		3 June 1984	Erfurt
4	3:18.38	Yelena Ruzina, Tatyana Alekseyeva, Margarita Ponomaryova, Irina Privalova		22 August 1993	Stuttgart
5	3:18.71	Rosemarie Whyte, Davita Prendergast, Novlene Williams-Mills, Shericka Williams		3 September 2011	Deagu
6	3:19.50	Lieke Klaver, Cathelijn Peeters, Lisanne De Witte, Femke Bol		10 August 2024	Saint-Denis
7	3:19.72	Victoria Ohuruogu, Laviai Nielsen, Nicole Yeargin, Amber Anning
8	3:19.90	Sophie Becker, Rhasidat Adeleke, Phil Healy, Sharlene Mawdsley
7	3:20.32	Taťána Kocembová, Milena Matějkovičová, Zuzana Moravčíková, Jarmila Kratochvílová		14 August 1983	Helsinki
8	3:20.53	Natalia Kaczmarek, Iga Baumgart-Witan, Malgorzata Holub-Kowalik, Justyna Swiety-Ersetic		7 August 2021	Tokyo	^[17]
10	3:21.04	Bisi Afolabi, Fatima Yusuf, Charity Opara, Falilat Ogunkoya		3 August 1996	Atlanta

Mixed

• Correct as of August 2024.

Rank	Time	Team	Nation	Date	Place	Ref
1	3:07.41	Vernon Norwood, Shamier Little, Bryce Deadmon, Kaylyn Brown		2 August 2024	Paris	^[18]
2	3:07.43	Eugene Omalla, Lieke Klaver, Isaya Klein Ikkink, Femke Bol		3 August 2024	Paris	^[19]
3	3:08.01	Samuel Reardon, Laviai Nielsen, Alex Haydock-Wilson, Amber Anning		3 August 2024	Paris	^[20]
4	3:09.36	Jonathan Sacoor, Helena Ponette, Alexander Doom, Naomi Van Den Broeck		3 August 2024	Paris	^[21]
5	3:09.82	Lidio Andrés Feliz, Marileidy Paulino, Alexander Ogando, Fiordaliza Cofil		15 July 2022	Eugene	^[22]
6	3:09.87	Karol Zalewski, Natalia Kaczmarek, Justyna Święty-Ersetic, Kajetan Duszyński	Poland	31 July 2021	Tokyo	^[23]
7	3:09.92	Christopher O'Donnell, Rhasidat Adeleke, Thomas Barr, Sharlene Mawdsley		7 June 2024	Rome	^[24]
8	3:10.60	Muhammad Kounta, Louise Maraval, Téo Andant, Amandine Brossier		2 August 2024	Paris	^[25]
8	3:10.69	Luca Sito, Anna Polinari, Eduardo Scotti, Alice Mangione		7 June 2024	Rome
10	3:11.06	Reheem Hayles, Junelle Bromfield, Zandrion Barnes, Stephenie Ann McPherson		2 August 2024	Paris	^[26]

All-time top 25 (outdoor)

Men

• Updated August 2024.

Rank	Time	Team	Nation	Date	Place	Ref
1	2:54.29	Andrew Valmon (44.43) Quincy Watts (43.59) Butch Reynolds (43.36) Michael Johnson (42.91)		22 August 1993	Stuttgart
2	2:54.43	Christopher Bailey (44.45) Vernon Norwood (43.26) Bryce Deadmon (43.54) Rai Benjamin (43.18)		10 August 2024	Saint-Denis	^[27]
3	2:54.53	Bayapo Ndori (44.30) Busang Collen Kebinatshipi (43.39) Anthony Pesela (43.80) Letsile Tebogo (43.04)
4	2:55.39	LaShawn Merritt, Angelo Taylor, David Neville, Jeremy Wariner		23 August 2008	Beijing
5	2:55.56	LaShawn Merritt, Angelo Taylor, Darold Williamson, Jeremy Wariner		2 September 2007	Osaka
6	2:55.70	Michael Cherry (43.87) Michael Norman (44.44) Bryce Deadmon (44.03) Rai Benjamin (43.36)		7 August 2021	Tokyo	^[28]
7	2:55.74	Andrew Valmon, Quincy Watts, Michael Johnson, Steve Lewis		8 August 1992	Barcelona
8	2:55.83	Alex Haydock-Wilson (44.51) Matthew Hudson-Smith (43.09) Lewis Davey (44.90) Charles Dobson (43.33)		10 August 2024	Saint-Denis
9	2:55.91	Otis Harris, Derrick Brew, Jeremy Wariner, Darold Williamson		28 August 2004	Athens
10	2:55.99	LaMont Smith, Alvin Harrison, Derek Mills, Anthuan Maybank		3 August 1996	Atlanta
11	2:56.16	Vincent Matthews, Ron Freeman, Larry James, Lee Evans		20 October 1968	Mexico City
	2:56.16	Danny Everett, Steve Lewis, Kevin Robinzine, Harry Reynolds		1 October 1988	Seoul
13	2:56.17	Elija Godwin (44.28) Michael Norman (43.64) Bryce Deadmon (43.82) Champion Allison (44.43)		24 July 2022	Eugene	^[29]
14	2:56.60	Iwan Thomas, Jamie Baulch, Mark Richardson, Roger Black		3 August 1996	Atlanta
15	2:56.65	Iwan Thomas, Roger Black, Jamie Baulch, Mark Richardson		10 August 1997	Athens
16	2:56.69	Fred Kerley (43.44) Michael Cherry (44.63) Wilbert London (44.43) Rai Benjamin (44.19)		6 October 2019	Doha	^[30]
17	2:56.72	Chris Brown, Demetrius Pinder, Michael Mathieu, Ramon Miller		10 August 2012	London
18	2:56.75	Michael McDonald, Gregory Haughton, Danny McFarlane, Davian Clarke		10 August 1997	Athens
19	2:56.91	Andrew Rock, Derrick Brew, Darold Williamson, Jeremy Wariner		14 August 2005	Helsinki
20	2:57.05	Bryshon Nellum, Joshua Mance, Tony McQuay, Angelo Taylor		10 August 2012	London
21	2:57.18	Liemarvin Bonevacia, Terrence Agard, Tony van Diepen, Ramsey Angela		7 August 2021	Tokyo	^[31]
22	2:57.25	David Verburg, Tony McQuay, Christian Taylor, LaShawn Merritt		25 May 2014	Nassau
23	2:57.27	Issac Makwala, Baboloki Thebe, Zibane Ngozi, Bayapo Ndori		7 August 2021	Tokyo	^[32]
24	2:57.29	Danny Everett, Roddie Haley, Antonio McKay, Harry Reynolds		6 September 1987	Rome
25	2:57.30	Arman Hall, Tony McQuay, Gil Roberts, LaShawn Merritt		20 August 2016	Rio de Janeiro

Note

• A USA team ran 2:54.20 in Uniondale in 1998 but the performance was annulled due to the use of performance-enhancing drugs by Antonio Pettigrew
• A USA team ran 2:56.35 in Sydney in 2000 but the performance was annulled due to the use of performance-enhancing drugs by Antonio Pettigrew
• A USA team ran 2:56.45 in Seville in 1999 but the performance was annulled due to the use of performance-enhancing drugs by Antonio Pettigrew
• A USA team ran 2:56.47 in Athens in 1997 but the performance was annulled due to the use of performance-enhancing drugs by Antonio Pettigrew
• A USA team ran 2:56.60 in Philadelphia in 2000 but the performance was annulled due to the use of performance-enhancing drugs by Antonio Pettigrew

Women

• Correct as of August 2024.^[15]

Rank	Time	Team	Nation	Date	Place	Ref
1	3:15.17	Tatyana Ledovskaya, Olga Nazarova, Mariya Pinigina, Olha Bryzhina		1 October 1988	Seoul
2	3:15.27	Shamier Little (49.48) Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (47.71) Gabrielle Thomas (49.3) Alexis Holmes (48.78)		10 August 2024	Saint-Denis
3	3:15.51	Denean Howard-Hill, Diane Dixon, Valerie Brisco-Hooks, Florence Griffith Joyner		1 October 1988	Seoul
4	3:15.92	Gesine Walther, Sabine Busch, Dagmar Rübsam-Neubauer, Marita Koch		3 June 1984	Erfurt
5	3:16.71	Gwen Torrence, Maicel Malone-Wallace, Natasha Kaiser-Brown, Jearl Miles Clark		22 August 1993	Stuttgart
6	3:16.85	Sydney McLaughlin (49.96) Allyson Felix (49.58) Dalilah Muhammad (48.97) Athing Mu (48.37)		7 August 2021	Tokyo	^[33]
7	3:16.87	Kirsten Emmelmann, Sabine Busch, Petra Müller, Marita Koch		31 August 1986	Stuttgart
		DeeDee Trotter, Allyson Felix, Francena McCorory, Sanya Richards-Ross		11 August 2012	London
9	3:17.79	Talitha Diggs (50.50) Abby Steiner (49.99) Britton Wilson (49.39) Sydney McLaughlin (47.91)		24 July 2022	Eugene	^[34]
10	3:17.83	Debbie Dunn, Allyson Felix, Lashinda Demus, Sanya Richards-Ross		23 August 2009	Berlin
11	3:17.96	Arkansas Razorbacks Amber Anning (50.52) Rosey Effiong (49.21) Nickisha Pryce (49.20) Kaylyn Brown (49.05)		8 June 2024	Eugene	^[35] ^[36]
12	3:18.09	Sanya Richards-Ross, Allyson Felix, Jessica Beard, Francena McCorory		3 September 2011	Daegu
13	3:18.29	Lillie Leatherwood, Sherri Howard, Valerie Brisco-Hooks, Chandra Cheeseborough		11 August 1984	Los Angeles
		Dagmar Rübsam-Neubauer, Kirsten Emmelmann, Sabine Busch, Petra Müller		1 October 1988	Seoul
14	3:18.38	Yelena Ruzina, Tatyana Alekseyeva, Margarita Khromova-Ponomaryova, Irina Privalova		22 August 1993	Stuttgart
15	3:18.43	Tatyana Ledovskaya, Lyudmila Dzhigalova, Olga Nazarova, Olha Bryzhina		1 September 1991	Tokyo
16	3:18.54	Mary Wineberg, Allyson Felix, Monique Henderson, Sanya Richards-Ross		23 August 2008	Beijing
17	3:18.55	DeeDee Trotter, Allyson Felix, Monique Henderson, Sanya Richards-Ross		2 September 2007	Osaka
18	3:18.58	Irina Nazarova, Nadiya Olizarenko, Mariya Pinigina, Olga Vladykina		18 August 1985	Moscow
19	3:18.63	Dagmar Rübsam-Neubauer, Kirsten Emmelmann, Petra Müller, Sabine Busch		6 September 1987	Rome
20	3:18.71	Rosemarie Whyte, Davita Prendergast, Novlene Williams-Mills, Shericka Williams		3 September 2011	Deagu
21	3:18.92	Phyllis Francis (49.51) Sydney McLaughlin (49.78) Dalilah Muhammad (49.43) Wadeline Jonathas (50.20)		6 October 2019	Doha	^[37]
22	3:19.01	DeeDee Trotter, Monique Henderson, Sanya Richards-Ross, Monique Hennagan		28 August 2004	Athens
23	3:19.02	Quanera Hayes, Allyson Felix, Shakima Wimbley, Phyllis Francis		13 August 2017	London	^[38]
24	3:19.04	Kirsten Emmelmann, Sabine Busch, Dagmar Rübsam-Neubauer, Marita Koch		11 September 1982	Athens
		Courtney Okolo, Natasha Hastings, Phyllis Francis, Allyson Felix		20 August 2016	Rio de Janeiro

Note

• A Russian team ran 3:18.82 in Beijing in 2008 but the performance was annulled due to the use of performance-enhancing drugs by Tatyana Firova

Mixed

• Correct as of August 2024.

Rank	Time	Team	Nation	Date	Place	Ref
1	3:07.41	Vernon Norwood (44.47), Shamier Little (49.32), Bryce Deadmon (44.17), Kaylyn Brown (49.45)		2 August 2024	Paris
2	3:07.43	Eugene Omalla (45.26), Lieke Klaver (49.26), Isaya Klein Ikkink (44.91), Femke Bol (48.00)		3 August 2024	Paris
3	3:07.74	Vernon Norwood (44.46), Shamier Little (49.39), Bryce Deadmon (44.66), Kaylyn Brown (49.23)		3 August 2024	Paris
4	3:08.01	Samuel Reardon (44.98), Laviai Nielsen (49.81), Alex Haydock-Wilson (44.36), Amber Anning (48.86)		3 August 2024	Paris
5	3:08.80	Justin Robinson, Rosey Effiong, Matthew Boling, Alexis Holmes		19 August 2023	Budapest	^[39]
6	3:09.34	Wilbert London, Allyson Felix, Courtney Okolo, Michael Cherry		29 September 2019	Doha	^[40]
7	3:09.36	Jonathan Sacoor (44.01), Helena Ponette (50.28), Alexander Doom (44.22), Naomi Van Den Broeck (50.85)		3 August 2024	Paris
8	3:09.82	Lidio Andrés Feliz, Marileidy Paulino, Alexander Ogando, Fiordaliza Cofil		15 July 2022	Eugene
9	3:09.87	Karol Zalewski, Natalia Kaczmarek, Justyna Święty-Ersetic, Kajetan Duszyński		31 July 2021	Tokyo
10	3:09.90	Liemarvin Bonevacia, Lieke Klaver, Tony van Diepen, Femke Bol		15 July 2022	Eugene
11	3:09.92	Christopher O'Donnell, Rhasidat Adeleke, Thomas Barr, Sharlene Mawdsley		7 June 2024	Rome
12	3:10.16	Elija Godwin, Allyson Felix, Vernon Norwood, Kennedy Simon		15 July 2022	Eugene
13	3:10.21	Lidio Andrés Feliz, Marileidy Paulino, Anabel Medina, Alexander Ogando	Dominican Republic	31 July 2021	Tokyo
14	3:10.22	Trevor Stewart, Kendall Ellis, Kaylin Whitney, Vernon Norwood	United States	31 July 2021	Tokyo
15	3:10.36	Liemarvin Bonevacia, Lieke Klaver, Femke Bol, Ramsey Angela	Netherlands	31 July 2021	Tokyo
16	3:10.41	Ryan Willie, Rosey Effiong, Justin Robinson, Alexis Holmes		19 August 2023	Budapest	^[41]
17	3:10.44	Dariusz Kowaluk, Iga Baumgart, Małgorzata Hołub-Kowalik, Kajetan Duszyński	Poland	30 July 2021	Tokyo	^[42]
18	3:10.60	Muhammad Kounta, Louise Maraval, Téo Andant, Amandine Brossier		2 August 2024	Paris
19	3:10.61	Samuel Reardon (45.61), Laviai Nielsen (49.72), Alex Haydock-Wilson (44.73), Nicole Yeargin (50.55)		2 August 2024	Paris
20	3:10.69	Jochem Dobber, Lieke Klaver, Lisanne de Witte, Ramsey Angela		30 July 2021	Tokyo
		Luca Sito, Anna Polinari, Eduardo Scotti, Alice Mangione		7 June 2024	Rome
22	3:10.73	Matthew Boling, Lynna Irby-Jackson, Willington Wright, Kendall Ellis		5 May 2024	Nassau	^[43]
		Liemarvin Bonevacia, Lieke Klaver, Isaya Klein Ikkink, Femke Bol		7 June 2024	Rome
24	3:10.74	Jonathon Sacoor (44.68), Helena Ponette (50.29), Kévin Borlée (44.75), Naomi Van Den Broeck (51.02)		2 August 2024	Paris
25	3:10.81	Eugene Omalla (45.39), Lieke Klaver (49.60), Isaya Klein Ikkink (45.63), Cathelijn Peeters (50.19)		2 August 2024	Paris

All-time top 10 by country (indoor)

Men

• Correct as of March 2024.^[44]

Rank	Time	Team	Nation	Date	Place	Ref
1	3:01.39	Illolo Izu, Robert Grant, Devin Dixon, Mylik Kerley		10 March 2018	College Station
2	3:01.77	Karol Zalewski, Rafał Omelko, Łukasz Krawczuk, Jakub Krzewina		4 March 2018	Birmingham	^[45]
3	3:02.51	Dylan Borlée, Jonathan Borlée, Jonathan Sacoor, Kevin Borlée		4 March 2018	Birmingham	^[46]
4	3:02.52	Deon Lendore, Jereem Richards, Asa Guevara, Lalonde Gordon		4 March 2018	Birmingham	^[47]
5	3:03.05	Rico Lieder, Jens Carlowitz, Karsten Just, Thomas Schönlebe		10 March 1991	Sevilla
6	3:03.20	Allyn Condon, Solomon Wariso, Adrian Patrick, Jamie Baulch		7 March 1999	Maebashi
7	3:03.69	Errol Nolan, Allodin Fothergill, Akheem Gauntlett, Edino Steele		9 March 2014	Sopot
8	3:04.09	Daniel Němeček, Patrik Šorm, Jan Tesař, Pavel Maslák		8 March 2015	Prague
9	3:04.25	Liemarvin Bonevacia, Ramsey Angela, Terrence Agard, Tony van Diepen		3 March 2024	Glasgow	^[48]
10	3:04.75	Michael Mathieu, Alonzo Russell, Shavez Hart, Chris Brown		20 March 2016	Portland	^[49]

Women

• Correct as of March 2024.^[50]

Rank	Time	Team	Nation	Date	Place	Ref
1	3:23.37	Olesya Krasnomovets-Forsheva, Olga Zaytseva, Olga Kotlyarova, Yuliya Gushchina		28 January 2006	Glasgow
2	3:23.85	Quanera Hayes, Georganne Moline, Shakima Wimbley, Courtney Okolo		4 March 2018	Birmingham	^[51]
3	3:25.07	Lieke Klaver, Cathelijn Peeters, Lisanne de Witte, Femke Bol		3 March 2024	Glasgow	^[52]
4	3:26.09	Justyna Święty-Ersetic, Patrycja Wyciszkiewicz, Aleksandra Gaworska, Małgorzata Hołub-Kowalik		4 March 2018	Birmingham
5	3:26.36	Laviai Nielsen, Lina Nielsen, Ama Pipi, Jessie Knight		3 March 2024	Glasgow
6	3:26.54	Patricia Hall, Anneisha McLaughlin, Kaliese Spencer, Stephenie Ann McPherson		9 March 2014	Sopot	^[53]
7	3:26.87	Susan Andrews, Tania Van Heer, Tamsyn Lewis, Cathy Freeman		7 March 1999	Maebashi
8	3:27.22	Sandra Seuser, Katrin Schreiter, Annett Hesselbarth, Grit Breuer		10 March 1991	Sevilla
9	3:27.83	Yulianna Yuschanka, Iryna Khliustava, Sviatlana Usovich, Ilona Usovich		4 March 2007	Birmingham
10	3:27.95	Marina Shmonina, Lyudmila Dzhigalova, Margarita Ponomaryova, Aelita Yurchenko		10 March 1991	Sevilla

All-time top 25 (indoor)

Men

• Updated March 2024.

Rank	Time	Team	Nation	Date	Place	Ref
1	3:00.77	USC Trojans Zach Shinnick (46.24) Rai Benjamin (44.35) Ricky Morgan Jr. (45.67) Michael Norman (44.52)		10 March 2018	College Station	^[54]
2	3:01.09	Arkansas Razorbacks Connor Washington James Benson Ayden Owens-Delerme Christopher Bailey		4 February 2023	Albuquerque
3	3:01.39	Texas A&M Aggies Illolo Izu Robert Grant Devin Dixon Mylik Kerley		10 March 2018	College Station	^[55]
4	3:01.43	Florida Gators Kunle Fasasi Grant Holloway Chantz Sawyers Benjamin Lobo Vedel		10 March 2018	College Station	^[56]
5	3:01.51	Houston Cougars Amere Lattin Obi Ogbokwe Jermaine Holt Kahmari Montgomery		9 February 2019	Clemson
6	3:01.56	Texas A&M Aggies Illolo Izu Bryce Deadmon Kyree Johnson Devon Dixon		9 February 2019	Clemson
7	3:01.77	Karol Zalewski Rafał Omelko Łukasz Krawczuk Jakub Krzewina		4 March 2018	Birmingham	^[57]
8	3:01.78	Alabama Crimson Tide Chris Robinson Demetrius Jackson Tarsis Gracious Orogot Khaleb McRae		25 February 2023	Fayetteville
9	3:01.96	Kerron Clement Jeremy Wariner Wallace Spearmon Darold Williamson		11 February 2006	Fayetteville
10	3:01.97	Fred Kerley Michael Cherry Aldrich Bailey Jr. Vernon Norwood		4 March 2018	Birmingham	^[58]
11	3:01.98	USC Trojans Zachary Shinnick Rai Benjamin Ricky Morgan Michael Norman		10 February 2018	Clemson
12	3:02.09	Arkansas Razorbacks Connor Washington James Benson Ayden Owens-Delerme Christopher Bailey		11 March 2023	Albuquerque
13	3:02.13	Kyle Clemons David Verburg Kind Butler Calvin Smith		9 March 2014	Sopot
14	3:02.18	Florida Gators Jacory Patterson Emmanuel Bamidele Jevaughn Powell Ryan Willie		11 February 2023	Fayetteville
15	3:02.23	Florida Gators Kunle Fasasi Grant Holloway Chantz Sawyers Benjamin Lobo Vedel		10 February 2018	Clemson
16	3:02.35	Texas A&M Aggies Illolo Izu Robert Grant Devon Dixon My'Lik Kerley		25 February 2018	College Station
		Arizona State Sun Devils Justin Robinson Kaleb Simpson Jayden Davis Gamali Felix		9 March 2024	Boston
18	3:02.45	Kyle Clemons Calvin Smith Chris Giesting Vernon Norwood		20 March 2016	Portland
19	3:02.51	Dylan Borlée Jonathan Borlée Jonathan Sacoor Kevin Borlée		4 March 2018	Birmingham	^[59]
20	3:02.52	Texas A&M Aggies Fred Kerley Richard Rose Devon Dixon My'Lik Kerley		28 January 2017	Fayetteville
		Deon Lendore Jereem Richards Asa Guevara Lalonde Gordon		4 March 2018	Birmingham	^[60]
22	3:02.53	Florida Gators Jevaughn Powell Robert Gregory Jenoah McKiver Reheem Hayles		9 March 2024	Boston
23	3:02.54	Jonathan Sacoor (46.21 Dylan Borlée (45.67) Christian Iguacel (45.78) Alexander Doom (44.88)		3 March 2024	Glasgow	^[61]
24	3:02.59	Georgia Bulldogs Matthew Boling Caleb Cavanaugh Bryce McCray Elija Godwin		26 February 2022	College Station
25	3:02.60	Jacory Patterson (45.97) Matthew Boling (45.63) Noah Lyles (45.68) Christopher Bailey (45.32)		3 March 2024	Glasgow	^[62]

Women

• Updated March 2024

Rank	Time	Team	Nation	Date	Place	Ref
1	3:21.75	Arkansas Razorbacks Amber Anning 51.47 Joanne Reid 50.52 Rosey Effiong 50.57 Britton Wilson 49.20		11 March 2023	Albuquerque	^[63]
2	3:23.37	Olesya Krasnomovets-Forsheva Olga Zaytseva Olga Kotlyarova Yuliya Gushchina		28 January 2006	Glasgow
3	3:23.85	Quanera Hayes Georganne Moline Shakima Wimbley Courtney Okolo		4 March 2018	Birmingham
4	3:23.88	Olesya Krasnomovets-Forsheva Olga Kotlyarova Tatyana Levina Natalya Nazarova		7 March 2004	Budapest
5	3:24.09	Arkansas Razorbacks Rosey Effiong Jayla Hollis Shafiqua Maloney Britton Wilson		26 February 2022	College Station
6	3:24.25	Tatyana Chebykina Svetlana Goncharenko Olga Kotlyarova Natalya Nazarova		7 March 1999	Maebashi
7	3:24.83	Natasha Hastings Joanna Atkins Francena McCorory Cassandra Tate		9 March 2014	Sopot	^[64]
8	3:24.91	Tatyana Levina Natalya Nazarova Olesya Krasnomovets-Forsheva Natayla Antyukh		12 March 2006	Moscow
9	3:25.07	Lieke Klaver (50.26) Cathelijn Peeters (51.99) Lisanne de Witte (52.28) Femke Bol (50.54)		3 March 2024	Glasgow	^[65]
10	3:25.34	Quanera Hayes (52.33) Talitha Diggs (50.50) Bailey Lear (52.02) Alexis Holmes (50.49)		3 March 2024	Glasgow	^[66]
11	3:25.43	Texas A&M Aggies Laila Owens Tierra Robinson-Jones Syaira Richardson Charokee Young		26 February 2022	College Station
12	3:25.59	Arkansas Razorbacks Rosey Effiong Amber Anning Nickisha Pryce Sanu Jallow		27 January 2024	Fayetteville
13	3:25.66	Lieke Klaver Eveline Saalberg Cathelijn Peeters Femke Bol		5 March 2023	Istanbul
14	3:25.67	Texas Longhorns Rachel Helbling Kennedy Simon Julien Alfred Rhasidat Adeleke		11 March 2023	Albuquerque	^[67]
15	3:25.89	Kentucky Wildcats Megan Moss Abby Steiner Karimah Davis Alexis Holmes		26 February 2022	College Station
16	3:25.91	Yuliya Gushchina Tatyana Veshkurova Tatyana Levina Natalya Antyukh		12 March 2006	Moscow
17	3:26.05	South Carolina Gamecocks Zaya Akins Jahnile Registre Jayla Jamison JaMeesia Ford		24 February 2024	Fayetteville
18	3:26.09	Justyna Święty-Ersetic Patrycja Wyciszkiewicz Aleksandra Gaworska Małgorzata Hołub-Kowalik		4 March 2018	Birmingham
19	3:26.27	Texas A&M Aggies Jania Martin Charokee Young Syaira Richardson Athing Mu		13 February 2021	Fayetteville
20	3:26.33	Joanne Reid Rachel Glenn Sanu Jallow Kaylyn Brown		24 February 2024	Fayetteville
21	3:26.36	Laviai Nielsen (51.43) Lina Nielsen (51.58) Ama Pipi (51.99) Jessie Knight (51.36)		3 March 2024	Glasgow	^[68]
22	3:26.38	Natasha Hastings Quanera Hayes Courtney Okolo Ashley Spencer		20 March 2016	Portland
23	3:26.40	Arkansas Razorbacks Amber Anning Nickisha Pryce Paris Peoples Rosey Effiong		28 January 2023	Fayetteville
		Lina Nielsen Ama Pipi Hannah Kelly Jessie Knight		3 March 2024	Glasgow	^[69]
25	3:26.54	Patricia Hall Anneisha McLaughlin Kaliese Spencer Stephenie Ann McPherson		9 March 2014	Sopot	^[70]

Olympic medalists

See main article: 4 × 400 metres relay at the Olympics.

Mixed

World Championships medalists

See main article: 4 × 400 metres relay at the World Championships in Athletics.

Mixed

World Indoor Championships medalists

Men

1991 Seville	Rico Lieder Jens Carlowitz Karsten Just Thomas Schönlebe	Raymond Pierre Charles Jenkins Jr. Andrew Valmon Antonio McKay Clifton Campbell Willie Smith	Marco Vaccari Vito Petrella Alessandro Aimar Andrea Nuti
1993 Toronto	Darnell Hall Brian Irvin Jason Rouser Mark Everett	Trinidad and Tobago Dazel Jules Alvin Daniel Neil de Silva Ian Morris	Masayoshi Kan Seiji Inagaki Yoshihiko Saito Hiroyuki Hayashi
1995 Barcelona	Rod Tolbert Calvin Davis Tod Long Frankie Atwater	Fabio Grossi Andrea Nuti Roberto Mazzoleni Ashraf Saber	Masayoshi Kan Seiji Inagaki Tomonari Ono Hiroyuki Hayashi
1997 Paris	Jason Rouser Mark Everett Sean Maye Deon Minor	Jamaica Linval Laird Michael McDonald Dinsdale Morgan Greg Haughton Garth Robinson	Pierre-Marie Hilaire Rodrigue Nordin Loic Lerouge Fred Mango
1999 Maebashi	Andre Morris Dameon Johnson Deon Minor Milton Campbell Khadevis Robinson	Poland Piotr Haczek Jacek Bocian Piotr Rysiukiewicz Robert Maćkowiak	Allyn Condon Solomon Wariso Adrian Patrick Jamie Baulch Sean Baldock
2001 Lisbon	Poland Piotr Rysiukiewicz Piotr Haczek Jacek Bocian Robert Maćkowiak	Aleksandr Ladeyshchikov Ruslan Mashchenko Boris Gorban Andrey Semyonov Dmitry Forshev	Jamaica Michael McDonald Davian Clarke Michael Blackwood Danny McFarlane Greg Haughton
2003 Birmingham	Jamaica Leroy Colquhoun Danny McFarlane Michael Blackwood Davian Clarke Kemel Thompson	Jamie Baulch Timothy Benjamin Cori Henry Daniel Caines Mark Hylton Jared Deacon	Poland Rafał Wieruszewski Grzegorz Zajączkowski Marcin Marciniszyn Marek Plawgo Artur Gąsiewski Piotr Rysiukiewicz
2004 Budapest	Jamaica Greg Haughton Leroy Colquhoun Michael McDonald Davian Clarke Richard James Sanjay Ayre	Boris Gorban Dmitry Forshev Andrey Rudnitskiy Aleksandr Usov	Ireland Robert Daly Gary Ryan David Gillick David McCarthy
2006 Moscow	Tyree Washington LaShawn Merritt Milton Campbell Wallace Spearmon James Davis O.J. Hogans	Poland Daniel Dąbrowski Marcin Marciniszyn Rafał Wieruszewski Piotr Klimczak Paweł Ptak Piotr Kędzia	Konstantin Svechkar Aleksandr Derevyagin Yevgeniy Lebedev Dmitry Petrov Andrey Polukeyev
2008 Valencia	James Davis Jamaal Torrance Greg Nixon Kelly Willie Joel Stallworth	Jamaica Michael Blackwood Edino Steele Adrian Findlay DeWayne Barrett Aldwyn Sappleton	Dominican Republic Arismendy Peguero Carlos Santa Pedro Mejía Yoel Tapia
2010 Doha	Jamaal Torrance Greg Nixon Tavaris Tate Bershawn Jackson LeJerald Betters Kerron Clement	Cédric Van Branteghem Kevin Borlée Antoine Gillet Jonathan Borlée Nils Duerinck	Conrad Williams Nigel Levine Chris Clarke Richard Buck Luke Lennon-Ford
2012 Istanbul	Frankie Wright Calvin Smith Jr. Manteo Mitchell Gil Roberts Jamaal Torrance Quentin Iglehart-Summers	Conrad Williams Nigel Levine Michael Bingham Richard Buck Luke Lennon-Ford	Trinidad and Tobago Lalonde Gordon Renny Quow Jereem Richards Jarrin Solomon
2014 Sopot	Kyle Clemons David Verburg Kind Butler III Calvin Smith Jr. Clayton Parros Ricky Babineaux	Conrad Williams Jamie Bowie Luke Lennon-Ford Nigel Levine Michael Bingham	Jamaica Errol Nolan Allodin Fothergill Akheem Gauntlett Edino Steele Dane Hyatt Jermaine Brown
2016 Portland	Kyle Clemons Calvin Smith Jr. Christopher Giesting Vernon Norwood Elvyonn Bailey Patrick Feeney	Bahamas Michael Mathieu Alonzo Russell Shavez Hart Chris Brown Ashley Riley	Trinidad and Tobago Jarrin Solomon Lalonde Gordon Ade Alleyne-Forte Deon Lendore Rondel Sorrillo Machel Cedenio
2018 Birmingham	Karol Zalewski Rafał Omelko Łukasz Krawczuk Jakub Krzewina Patryk Adamczyk	Fred Kerley Michael Cherry Aldrich Bailey Vernon Norwood Marqueze Washington Paul Dedewo	Dylan Borlée Jonathan Borlée Jonathan Sacoor Kevin Borlée
2022 Belgrade	Julien Watrin Alexander Doom Jonathan Sacoor Kevin Borlée Dylan Borlée	Bruno Hortelano Iñaki Cañal Manuel Guijarro Bernat Erta	Taymir Burnet Nick Smidt Terrence Agard Tony van Diepen Jochem Dobber Isayah Boers
2024 Glasgow	Jonathan Sacoor Dylan Borlée Christian Iguacel Alexander Doom Tibo De Smet*	Jacory Patterson Matthew Boling Noah Lyles Christopher Bailey Paul Dedewo* Trevor Bassitt*	Liemarvin Bonevacia Ramsey Angela Terrence Agard Tony van Diepen Taymir Burnet Isayah Klein Ikkink

Note* Indicates athletes who ran only in the preliminary round and also received medals.

• A USA team of Milton Campbell, Leonard Byrd, Trinity Gray and Jerome Young originally finished second in the 2001 World Indoor Championships, but was disqualified after Young was found to have used performance-enhancing drugs.^[71]
• A USA team of James Davis, Jerome Young, Milton Campbell and Tyree Washington originally won in the 2003 World Indoor Championships, but was disqualified after Young was found to have used performance-enhancing drugs.^[72]

Women

1991 Seville	Sandra Seuser Katrin Schreiter Annett Hesselbarth Grit Breuer	Marina Shmonina Lyudmila Dzhigalova Margarita Ponomaryova Aelita Yurchenko	Terri Dendy Lillie Leatherwood Jearl Miles Diane Dixon
1993 Toronto	Jamaica Deon Hemmings Beverly Grant Cathy Rattray-Williams Sandie Richards	Trevaia Williams Terri Dendy Dyan Webber Natasha Kaiser-Brown	none awarded
1995 Barcelona	Tatyana Chebykina Yelena Ruzina Yekaterina Kulikova Svetlana Goncharenko	Czech Republic Naděžda Koštovalová Helena Dziurová Hana Benešová Ludmila Formanová	Nelrae Pasha Tanya Dooley Kim Graham Flirtisha Harris
1997 Paris	Tatyana Chebykina Svetlana Goncharenko Olga Kotlyarova Tatyana Alekseyeva Natalya Sharova Yekaterina Bakhvalova	Shanelle Porter Natasha Kaiser-Brown Anita Howard Jearl Miles Clark Carlette Guidry	Anja Rücker Anke Feller Heike Meißner Grit Breuer Anja Knippel
1999 Maebashi	Tatyana Chebykina Svetlana Goncharenko Olga Kotlyarova Natalya Nazarovaa	Susan Andrews Tania Van Heer Tamsyn Lewis Cathy Freeman	Monique Hennagan Michelle Collins Zundra Feagin-Alexander Shanelle Porter
2001 Lisbon	Yuliya Nosova Olesya Zykina Yuliya Sotnikova Olga Kotlyarova	Jamaica Charmaine Howell Juliet Campbell Catherine Scott Sandie Richards	Claudia Marx Birgit Rockmeier Florence Ekpo-Umoh Shanta Ghosh
2003 Birmingham	Natalya Antyukh Yuliya Pechonkina Olesya Zykina Natalya Nazarova	Jamaica Ronetta Smith Catherine Scott Sheryl Morgan Sandie Richards	Monique Hennagan Meghan Addy Brenda Taylor Mary Wineberg
2004 Budapest	Olesya Forsheva Olga Kotlyarova Tatyana Levina Natalya Nazarova Olesya Zykina Natalya Antyukh	Belarus Natallia Solohub Anna Kozak Ilona Vusovich Sviatlana Vusovich	Romania Angela Moroșanu Alina Rîpanu Maria Rus Ionela Târlea
2006 Moscow	Tatyana Levina Natalya Nazarova Olesya Forsheva Natalya Antyukh Yuliya Gushchina Tatyana Veshkurova	Debbie Dunn Tiffany Williams Monica Hargrove Mary Wineberg Kia Davis	Belarus Natallia Solohub Anna Kozak Yulyana Yushchanka Ilona Vusovich
2008 Valencia	Yuliya Gushchina Tatyana Levina Natalya Nazarova Olesya Zykina	Belarus Anna Kozak Iryna Khliustava Ilona Vusovich Sviatlana Vusovich	Angel Perkins Miriam Barnes Shareese Woods Moushaumi Robinson
2010 Doha	Debbie Dunn DeeDee Trotter Natasha Hastings Allyson Felix	Czech Republic Denisa Rosolová Jitka Bartoničková Zuzana Bergrová Zuzana Hejnová	Kim Wall Vivki Barr Perri Shakes-Drayton Lee McConnell
2012 Istanbul	Shana Cox Nicola Sanders Christine Ohuruogu Perri Shakes-Drayton	Leslie Cole Natasha Hastings Jernail Hayes Sanya Richards-Ross	Romania Angela Moroșanu Angela Panainte Adelina Pastor Elena Mirela Lavric
2014 Sopot	Natasha Hastings Joanna Atkins Francena McCorory Cassandra Tate Jernail Hayes Monica Hargrove	Jamaica Patricia Hall Anneisha McLaughlin Kaliese Spencer Stephenie Ann McPherson Verone Chambers Natoya Goule	Eilidh Child Shana Cox Margaret Adeoye Christine Ohuruogu Victoria Ohuruogu
2016 Portland	Natasha Hastings Quanera Hayes Courtney Okolo Ashley Spencer	Poland Ewelina Ptak Małgorzata Hołub Magdalena Gorzkowska Justyna Święty	Romania Adelina Pastor Mirela Lavric Andrea Miklós Bianca Răzor
2018 Birmingham	Quanera Hayes Georganne Moline Shakima Wimbley Courtney Okolo Joanna Atkins Raevyn Rogers	Justyna Święty-Ersetic Patrycja Wyciszkiewicz Aleksandra Gaworska Małgorzata Hołub-Kowalik Joanna Linkiewicz Natalia Kaczmarek	Meghan Beesley Hannah Williams Amy Allcock Zoey Clark Anyika Onuora
2022 Belgrade	Junelle Bromfield Janieve Russell Roneisha McGregor Stephenie Ann McPherson Tiffany James	Lieke Klaver Eveline Saalberg Lisanne de Witte Femke Bol Andrea Bouma	Natalia Kaczmarek Iga Baumgart-Witan Kinga Gacka Justyna Święty-Ersetic Aleksandra Gaworska
2024 Glasgow	Lieke Klaver Cathelijn Peeters Lisanne de Witte Femke Bol Myrte van der Schoot Eveline Saalberg	Quanera Hayes Talitha Diggs Bailey Lear Alexis Holmes Jessica Wright Na'Asha Robinson	Laviai Nielsen Lina Nielsen Ama Pipi Jessie Knight Hannah Kelly

Note* Indicates athletes who ran only in the preliminary round and also received medals.

• A Russian team of Svetlana Pospelova, Natalya Nazarova, Kseniya Vdovina and Tatyana Firova originally finished second in the 2010 World Indoor Championships, but was disqualified after Firova was found to have used performance-enhancing drugs.^[73]
• A Jamaican team of Bobby-Gaye Wilkins, Clora Williams, Davita Prendergast and Novlene Williams-Mills originally finished third in the 2010 World Indoor Championships, but was disqualified after Wilkins was found to have used performance-enhancing drugs.^[73]
• A Russian team of Yuliya Gushchina, Kseniya Ustalova, Marina Karnaushchenko and Aleksandra Fedoriva originally finished third in the 2012 World Indoor Championships, but was disqualified in 2019 after Gushchina was found to have used performance-enhancing drugs.^[74]

Notable splits

Men

• Herb McKenley (Jamaica) ran a 44.6 split in the 1952 Helsinki Olympic final.
• Ron Freeman (USA) ran a 43.2 split in the 1968 Mexico Olympic final.
• Julius Sang (Kenya) ran a 43.6 split in the 1972 Munich Olympic final.
• Alberto Juantorena (Cuba) ran a 43.7 split in the 1977 IAAF World Cup event as part of the Americas team.
• Quincy Watts ran a 43.1 split and Steve Lewis (USA) ran a 43.4 split in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic final.
• Butch Reynolds ran a 43.23 split and Michael Johnson (both USA) ran a 42.91 split in the 1993 Stuttgart World Championship final; the USA team's final time of 2:54.29 is the current world record.
• Mark Richardson (GBR) ran a 43.57 split and Davian Clarke (JAM) ran a 43.51 split in the 1997 Athens World Championship final.
• Jeremy Wariner (USA) ran a 43.10 split in the 2007 Osaka World Championship final.
• Jeremy Wariner (USA) ran a 43.18 split in the 2008 Beijing Olympic final.
• Michael Norman (USA) ran a 43.06 split in the 2018 NCAA West Preliminaries final.^[75]

Women

• Jarmila Kratochvílová (CZE) ran a 47.6 split in the 1982 Athens European Championship final, a 47.75 split in the 1983 Helsinki World Championship final, and a 47.9 split in the 1983 Europa Cup in London.
• Marita Koch (GDR) ran a 47.70 split in Erfurt 1984, a 47.9 split in the 1982 European Championship final, and a 47.9 split at the 1985 Canberra World Cup.
• Allyson Felix (USA) ran a 47.72 split in the 2015 Beijing World Championships final, a 48.01 split in the 2007 Osaka World Championships final, and a 48.20 split in the 2012 London Olympic final.
• Olga Nazarova and Olga Bryzgina (USSR) both ran a 47.80 split in the 1988 Seoul Olympics final; the Soviet team's final time of 3:15.17 is the current world record.
• Sydney McLaughlin (USA) ran a 47.70^[76] split in the 2024 Paris Olympics, and a 47.91 split at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene.
• Femke Bol (NED) ran a 47.93 split in the 2024 Paris Olympics mixed 4x400 final.
• Florence Griffith Joyner (USA) ran a 48.08 split in the 1988 Seoul Olympic final.

External links

• IAAF list of 4x400-metres-relay records in XML