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James King
- Born
- May 9, 1949 (77 years old)
- Events
- 400 m hurdles · 400 m
James King (born May 9, 1949) is an American hurdler. In 1975, he won the Pan American Games in the 400 Hurdles. He was a top level performer for many years also competing in the United States Olympic Trials in 1972, 1976, 1980, and 1984.
He was ranked in the Top 10 United States 400 meter hurdlers for ten consecutive years most of it during the Edwin Moses and Andre Phillips era. He held the official World Masters Athletics World Record in the 400 hurdles for Men 40+ for over 20 years, until it was surpassed in 2012 by Danny McFarlane. He also held the World Record for the M35 and M40 400 metres (without hurdles) for almost 15 years each.
King won the British AAA Championships title in the 400 metres hurdles event at both the 1980 AAA Championships and the 1982 AAA Championships. King competed collegiately for San Diego Mesa College, then San Diego State University and has remained in the area, coaching at San Diego Mesa College, San Diego City College, Grossmont College and Cuyamaca College. He is currently an assistant coach back at Mesa College.
As of Nov 6, 2026: 400 m hurdles 49.00 (#326 all-time), 400 m 46.19, 1984 season best 49.72 (May 13, 1984, Westwood, CA (USA)) · 77 years old
Personal bests
WA points calculator →Progression
| Season | Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 400m | 46.38 | – | May 25, 1984 | San Diego, CA (USA) |
| 1984 | 400mH | 49.72 | – | May 13, 1984 | Westwood, CA (USA) |
| 1983 | 400mH | 49.65 | – | May 15, 1983 | Westwood, CA (USA) |
| 1982 | 400mH | 49.30 | – | May 16, 1982 | Westwood, CA (USA) |
| 1982 | 800m | 1:47.86 | – | Jul 27, 1982 | Hengelo (NED) |
| 1981 | 400mH | 49.26 | – | Aug 19, 1981 | Zürich (SUI) |
| 1980 | 400mH | 49.24 | – | Apr 19, 1980 | Walnut, CA (USA) |
| 1979 | 400m | 46.19 | – | Jul 31, 1979 | Malmö (SWE) |