Who ran the fastest 100 yards sprint?

Answer 1

The world record for 100 metres is 9.71 seconds.

The 100 yard dash is not generally used in international events (having been replaced by the 100 metre sprint). However, it is still occasionally run in the United States in certain competitions.

The world record for the 100 yard dash is 9.0 seconds flat by R.P. Williams in 1906.

I don't know who this R. P. Williams is, but no runner in 1906 ever came close to a 100 yd. time of 9.0 sec. The world record for the 100 yds was 9.2 in the early 1960's and was lowered in 1966 to 9.1. by Canada's Harry Jerome. Maybe "1906" should read 1976 or 1986.

surreyfan

Answer 2

It is unknown what Usain Bolt's 100y split was when he ran 9.58 for 100m, but it was probably close to 8.8 and it is definitely the fastest anyone has ever run it.

Agreed, but since the 100 yard event went the way of the dodo sometime in the early 1970's, the official 100 yd. record is still above 9 seconds. I know that the late Harry Jerome ran it in 9.1 sec. in 1966. Seems to me Bob Hayes also matched that speed. but can't think of anyone else running it faster over an actual 100 yard distance.

I have made some calculations based on Bolt's 100 m. time of 9.58 sec. based on probabilities for the 100 yd split. The fact that all 100 m. sprinters decelerate slightly after 75 to 80 meters (when they have reached their optimum speed), means that Bolt loss of speed was likely less at 100 yds than at the tape.

Based on the fact that 100 yds is the equivalent of 92.9 m., a 10 sec. flat 100 m. time means the 100 yd. split is at least .71 sec. lower. Taking this into consideration, Bolt's 100 yd. time in his record 100 meter race, (being well below a 1 sec. per 10 meter pace ) would have been no more than 8.8 sec. and perhaps as low as 8.76 sec.

Surreyfan