ONE THING THAT track & field fans have almost universally always loved is “who would win” debates involving elite athletes at opposite ends of the sprint/distance spectrum, hypothetically meeting at a “tweener” distance. To take a peak example from about 15 years ago: “Who would win a 600 [or 500 or 400] between Bolt and Rudisha?”
Such debates haven’t historically involved hurdlers as much. But maybe that’s about to change, thanks to a playful exchange that got real at a press conference preceding the May 23 Xiamen Diamond League in China.
Perhaps we can thank the intriguing uptick in international 300-meter hurdle races for bridging the gap and stirring possibilities. It’s one thing for 400H athletes to drop down to 300H, yet quite another for short hurdlers to move up. But with long hurdlers Alison dos Santos and Karsten Warholm in the room, along with short hurdlers Cordell Tinch and Masai Russell, the setting was ideal for igniting a challenge over perhaps a shorter, more ideal meeting ground.
While questioning Tinch, moderator Cathal Dennehy brought up the 300H battle dos Santos and Warholm had the previous week at the Shanghai DL, then added, “…and Karsten even mentioned maybe there might be a 200-meter hurdles at some point. Is that something that you’d be interested in?”
Tinch took the bait. “I was gonna ask them about how they feel about that 200-meter hurdles and where I would be in that. ‘Cause I’m joining if it’s 200. 300’s a little too far for me. But 200, I’m there.”
That’s all it took.
Warholm turned to dos Santos, “I think actually you’re the only guy that has run the 200 hurdles, right?”
Yes, the Brazilian won the special 200 straightaway hurdle race at the Atlanta City Games last May in 21.85. He also won one in Boston 5 years ago. Was there any doubt he would be a gamer?
“Yes, and boy, we’re waiting for you,” he said, drawing a huge laugh from all. “Just find the race, put the money, we’ll be there. We’ll be fine. You’ll be amazing, but we got the best for that one.”
Warholm took it one level further: “Maybe we should put on a team contest, you know? The 400-meter hurdlers versus the 110-hurdlers, and we do the average.”
Time for Russell to step up. “Well, I used to do the 400 hurdles, so. Maybe a story for me.” Indeed, Russell definitely seemed more on the 400H trajectory early in her career, but her 12.36 breakthrough in ’23 as a Kentucky senior changed things.
“Just get your team, we get ours, and we just line up,” Warholm continued. “We’re good to go.”
“We’re definitely ready for that,” Tinch retorted.
But Warholm had to get in a dig. “You will have lactic [acid] coming off the 100 meters, huh?”
“No, no, no, no, no, no, no,” Tinch shot back.
Dos Santos, however, has been there, done that. “The 200 hurts more than the 300. Just trust what I’m saying. I’ve run both. Just be prepared. Be prepared.”
Dennehy interjected with a key logistical question. “How many barriers?”
Said Warholm, “We can let them choose.” Dos Santos added that 10 would be nice, but that perhaps a middle ground could be found.
Who else would take on the challenge? Rai Benjamin’s résumé does not include a 200H or even a 110H mark, but no other hurdler has his 200 speed (19.99 from 2018). He’s said he’s committed to flat races this year, but maybe in ‘27? Olympic flat 400 gold medalist Quincy Hall, whose 400H best is 48.10, raced 23.61 for 200H in 2021. Long hurdles Olympian CJ Allen hurdled 22.58 in that same race. On the other end of the spectrum, Grant Holloway has never run a 400H, but has sub-44 4×4 credentials.
Who besides Russell would be game for the women? The American 400H big 3 of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (12.65), Anna Cockrell (12.54) and Jasmine Jones (12.64) all have excellent 100H credentials that indicate their speed. Shiann Salmon (24.86) and Shamier Little (24.91) went 1–2 in their Boston meeting at 200H in ’21.
Perhaps the deal was sealed when Dennehy invited Xiamen meet director Rune Stenersen, Warholm’s countryman, to comment. “I’m willing to put it on in Xiamen next year, if you guys agree,” he said.
Put on the spot, the U.S. pair couldn’t help but agree. “I’m committing to it. Yep,” Tinch declared. So stay tuned.
And leave it to Warholm to get in the last word (and laugh). “You’ve seen the movie,” he quipped. “Show me the yuan!” Chinese prize money for a clash in China. Of course.
