40m/40yd Sprint Test Results (2024)

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Fitness testing protocols often include a running test of speed, conducted as a maximal sprint over a set distance. The test can be conducted over a range of distances, anywhere from 10 meters up to 60m meters, the time recorded using a stopwatch or by using timing gates. A common distance for the sprint test is the 40 meters speed test, or the similar distance 40 yards speed test (36.6 meters).

The 40 yard world record is 4.12 seconds by US athlete Christian Coleman.

Here are results for the 40m/40yd sprint tests from a variety of sports. The results have been collected from various sources online, and the accuracy of the results cannot be confirmed.

American Football (40 yards)

• The 4.21 secs by Xavier Worthy at the 2024 NFL combine is the best ever result in the 40 yard dash at the combine.
• The average 40 yard time of 489 players who tested at 2021 College Pro days was 4.77 seconds (ranging from 4.27 to 5.67 seconds)
• The 4.22 secs by John Ross at the 2017 NFL combine was the best result in the 40 yard dash at the combine since 2009.
• The best result for the 40 yard dash at the 2016 NFL combine was Keith Marshall, a running back from Georgia, with a time of 4.31 seconds.
• Marquise Goodwin, a wide receiver from Texas had the fastest 40 yard time at the 2013 NFL combine, running the distance in 4.27 seconds.
• DeMarcus Van Dyke had the best result at the 2011 NFL Combine, with a 4.28 second 40 yard dash.
• Dwain Chambers, former champion sprinter now wide receiver, has been rumored to have a very quick 40 time of 4.10 seconds (and that was on grass too). Was this over 40 yards or meters? and possibly a flying 40 (with a running start). More details are being searched for.
• The all time best 40 yard dash at the NFL Combine is a hand-timed 4.19 seconds by Deion Sanders (DB), from Florida State in 1989. The fastest electronic timed sprint is 4.24 secs by Chris Johnson in 2008. The fastest ever 10 yard split times at the NFL Combine is 1.40 secs, achieved in 2008-9 by three players: Cedric Peerman, Chris Johnson and Justin King. (more NFL combine results).
• Over 10 yards at the 2007 NFL combine, 1.43 seconds was achieved by Aundrae Allison, Eric Weddle and Marcus McCauley, the top three fastest ever recorded up to that time. (more NFL combine results).

Track and Field

• US Decathlete Bryan Clay achieved 2.80 sec (20 yards), 3.34 sec (30 yards) and 4.38 sec (40 yards) during a SPARQ testing exercise (testing conducted at Azusa Pacific University, March 25th 2005, published in SPARQ Magazine, Summer 2008).
• Split times published for Usain Bolt's 9.58 seconds world record 100m run list his first 40m time of 4.64 seconds (though the next 40m of that race with a running start was 3.28 seconds). The first 40m of Usain bolts 9.69 second 100m run at the 2008 Olympic Games was in 4.65 seconds. In 2019, Bolt ran an unofficial 4.22 second 40-yard sprint (wearing just running shoes and a tracksuit) at a promotional event for the Superbowl in Atlanta, Georgia on February 2, 2019.

Soccer

• Thierry Henry held Arsenal's original club sprinting record at 4.82 seconds. In 2009, Theo Walcott broke Thierry Henry's record with his own effort of 4.78 seconds. That record has now been beaten by former Barcelona youngster Hector Bellerin with a 40m sprint time of 4.41 seconds.

Rugby

• USA Rugby Sevens Coach Al Caravelli defined his ideal Rugby 7s player - among other physical attributes, he should be able to cover 40 meters in 4.6-4.7 seconds (retrieved from boxscorenews.com, Feb 2011).
• Average 40m sprint results from Newcastle Knights squad (n=78) was 5.33 seconds (range 4.90 - 5.81 sec) (personal communication, Lee Clark). There are more sprint test results over 10, 20 and 30m, and other fitness test results from the Newcastle Knights).
• The Springboks in 2007 expected scores for the 40 m sprint ranged from at least 5.10 sec for the outside backs up to 5.65 sec for the props, on grass (more on Springboks norms).

Related Pages

• Procedure for Sprint/Speed Testing
• Protocols for the 40 meters speed test, or the similar distance 40 yards speed test
• All about timing gates
• More Sprint Test Results
• Other fitness test results
• World Records for Speed tests
• More Scores? I scan the internet for the latest athlete results. If you know of something I have missed, I would love to hear from you.