Remember Maddyn Greenway, the high school basketball sensation and daughter of Minnesota Vikings legend Chad Greenway? Of course, you do. But what if we asked you to find a similarity between her and Vance Nilsson, the track phenom from Gilbert? Sounds like a stretch, right?
Well, here’s a hint: 300m hurdles. Nilsson etched his name into the record books by completing the race in a jaw-dropping 34.83 seconds, becoming the first American high-schooler to clock a time well under 35 seconds in the event at the AIA Outdoor State Track and Field Championships. Meanwhile, Greenway, known for her skills on the court, proved her athletic versatility by securing the 3rd position in the 300mh event at the MSHSL State Track & Field Championships, clocking 44.98s. Two different athletes, one remarkable feat. But why is this event suddenly back in the spotlight?
Well, a 4-time Olympic medalist American athlete recently posed a thought-provoking question on X (formerly Twitter) about the 300m hurdles, and it sent the track and field community into a frenzy. Fans struggled to quench their curiosity, debating and speculating over the cryptic query. So, what exactly did the Olympic legend ask? And why did it leave fans scratching their heads? Let’s dive into it.
The American speedster throws the question on the open platform
Rai Benjamin is no stranger to greatness. The American track star makes the grueling 400m hurdles look like a walk in the park, clocking an astonishing 46.17 seconds—a time that many consider superhuman in one of track and field’s most brutal events. But what often flies under the radar is Benjamin’s brilliance in the 300m hurdles. With a blistering personal best of 37.61 seconds, he’s been nothing but spectacular in the shorter distance. The problem? Until now, his jaw-dropping performances in the 300m hurdles lacked official recognition from World Athletics. Despite his dominance, the governing body didn’t formally acknowledge the event. But that’s about to change. In the coming days, Benjamin’s 300m hurdles time will be officially recorded, giving him the long-overdue validation he deserves. This change, however, piqued Benjamin’s curiosity.
However, I’m curious to learn about why this was the event to be elevated to being official.
— Rai Benjamin (@_Kingben_) March 26, 2025
On March 25, the Olympian took to X (formerly Twitter) with a thought-provoking question: “I’m curious to learn about why this was the event to be elevated to being official.” And just like that, the track and field community was left scratching their heads. Why the 300m hurdles? Why now? Fans are scouring for answers, but the reasoning remains unclear. Well, we can add a few pictures to the discussion.
On March 25, track and field fans were hit with some exciting news. Travis Miller took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a game-changing update: World Athletics will now recognize official world records for the 300m hurdles, just as it does for the 400m hurdles. The event will also be included in the Competition Rules & Technical Rules, making it an official part of track and field. No more asterisk, no more informal status—the 300m hurdles event is getting its rightful place on the global stage. For Rai Benjamin, the news was undoubtedly a win. The 400m hurdles superstar, who holds a blazing 37.61-second personal best in the 300m hurdles, couldn’t help but express his appreciation, saying, “I like the 300 hurdles.” Yet, why did the change come?
The track and field fans call it setting things right
Following Rai Benjamin’s thought-provoking post on X, track and field fans came out in full force, offering theories, insights, and plenty of humor. And honestly? Their responses deserve a gold medal of their own. Such as?
One fan suggested that making the 300m hurdles official could be a move toward making track more inclusive, writing: “The 400h is the graveyard for sprinters. Mostly failed sprinters or coward sprinters do it. You ran one 19.9… but would never make a team in the sprints. The 300h and 400h give ninjas like you a place to exist as a pro.” Ouch. But they might have a point.
The 400m hurdles, widely considered one of the most brutal events in track, demands not just speed but rhythm and relentless endurance. Athletes don’t “jump” the hurdles—they sprint right over them. With the 300m hurdles now gaining official status, it might attract more athletes and slightly ease the pressure of the longer, more grueling event. Another track and field fan chimed in with a potential technical reason for the change, writing: “I’m wondering the same? Maybe the goal is to be able to run them on 300m short tracks?” Could this mean the 300m hurdles might soon become a part of indoor events? Nobody shot down the idea, leaving the door wide open for this possibility. Then came the practical logic takes.
One X-user pointed out how outdated some events already are: “Probably they thought ‘why not’ where even the 55m and 55m H events are official.” They’ve got a point. The 55m hurdles event is already considered obsolete at the professional and international level, with most major events—like the Tyson Invitational, Millrose Games, and USA Indoor Championships—standardizing the 60m hurdles. The 55m distance only lingers at high school and some collegiate invitationals, making it largely irrelevant. So, why not make the 300m hurdles official if a dying event like the 55m still technically exists?
But of course, the comedic relief was inevitable. Fans couldn’t resist poking fun at some of the sport’s biggest names. One user joked: “For Grant Holloway off year, they think 400mH is too far for him.” Considering Holloway’s dominance in the hurdles (he practically owns the 60m hurdles record book), the playful jab hit just right. Another track and field fan aimed Karsten Warholm, writing: “So Karsten Warholm has an event to win after some pesky American superstar took the Olympic mantle.” A not-so-subtle dig at Benjamin, who is one of Warholm’s fiercest rivals. However, whether fans were offering genuine theories or just having a laugh, one thing is clear: the 300m hurdles event is officially here, and the track and field world is loving the conversation it’s sparking.
The post Track and Field Community Confused as 4x Olympic Medalist Raises Questions About World Athletics’ Recent Change appeared first on EssentiallySports.