Buckle up, track and field fans, because Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles is about to step way outside his comfort zone! The American sprint sensation, who clinched gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a blistering personal best of 9.784 seconds, is set to run his first professional 400m race since 2016.
This bold move comes straight from the horse’s mouth via his X post, where he declared, “Today will be my first pro 400m! Pr or Bust!”, the message has sent shockwaves through the track world, igniting excitement as fans gear up to watch Lyles tackle the grueling one-lap distance. With his signature confidence on full display, the question now is, can Lyles translate his 100m speed into 400m glory?
Today will be my first pro 400m!
Pr or Bust!
— Noah Lyles, OLY (@LylesNoah) April 19, 2025
Turning back the clock, Lyles’ last competitive 400m outing was in 2016, during his youth racing days, long before he became a household name. Since then, he’s dominated the sprints, setting an American record of 19.31 seconds in the 200m and securing multiple Diamond League titles. His 400m debut today, however, marks a rare pivot for the 27-year-old, who last showcased his endurance in that event nearly a decade ago.
The excitement kicked into high gear when Lyles hinted at this move earlier this year. On March 29, he posted on X, “Did a 400m workout yesterday and I’m not gonna lie… I think I need to run a 400 soon,” sparking speculation that he’s eyeing a new career path. Encouragement from 400m sensation, Vernon Norwood really sealed the deal for him. “I want to see you do a 400 one day.” Looks like Norwood is finally going to witness the 100m Olympic champion tread unconventional grounds.
As Lyles laces up for this challenge at the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational in Gainesville 2025 on Saturday, April 19, he won’t be alone on the track. Potential challengers loom large, with names like Fred Kerley, the 2022 100m world champion with a 400m personal best of 43.64 seconds, likely to test Lyles’ mettle.
The race has fans buzzing on X. This shift from his usual 100m and 200m haunts adds a layer of intrigue—will his sprinting prowess carry him through the 400m’s unique demands? How are fans taking Noah’s this move? Lets find out.
Fans react to Noah Lyles 400m announcement: A wave of hype and humor
The track and field world is electric with anticipation as Noah Lyles, America’s sprinting superstar, steps into uncharted territory. Known for dominating the 100m and 200m—Lyles is now testing his legs in the grueling 400m. Fans are losing it on X, hyping up the 27-year-old’s bold move with reactions like “Good luck!!!” and “You got this!” But why is Lyles, a six-time world champion, chasing this new challenge? Let’s dive into the buzz and break down what’s at stake.
His last 400m race was back in 2016, clocking a respectable 47.04 seconds as a high schooler. Now, nine years later, he’s entered the Tom Jones Invite, and fans are buzzing with predictions like “PR coming for sure” and “Sub 45 incoming!!!”
One X user cheekily commenting, “It would be very funny if you were to run faster than Fred Kerley.” So, is Lyles chasing rivals or just testing his limits? Fans echoed this hype, with one proclaiming, “I have no doubt our Champ will PR.” But with his last 400m time nearly a decade old, what kind of shape is Lyles in for this debut?
The stakes are high, especially after a rocky start to 2025. Fans are hungry for Lyles to reclaim his throne, with one posting, “Can’t wait to see the time.” Lyles’ history of showmanship adds to the hype. Fans are optimistic, with one cheering, “Go ahead! Good luck!” But can Lyles hit that sub-45 mark and prove he belongs?
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