KS
Karl Smith

Karl Smith

JAMJAMMen
Birth dateSep 15, 1959
Height-
Weight-

Karl Smith (born 15 September 1959) is a Jamaican track and field athlete specializing in the hurdles.

He ran for his native country in the 1984 Olympics in the 400 metres hurdles and on their 4 × 400 metres relay team In the hurdles, he finished behind medalists Danny Harris and Harald Schmid in the semi-final round, not qualifying for the final.

The top Jamaican hurdler in his day, Smith is still ranked #19 all time Smith has continued to run hurdles in Masters athletics, holding the world record in the 110 metres hurdles.

Key facts
400 m hurdles
49.17
#423 all-time
110 m hurdles
13.76
1985 season best
8.19
Jan 19, 1985 · Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, Paris (FRA) (i)
1985 season best
Age
66 years old

As of Sep 13, 2026: 400 m hurdles 49.17 (#423 all-time), 110 m hurdles 13.76, 1985 season best 8.19 (Jan 19, 1985, Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, Paris (FRA) (i)) · 66 years old

Performance Charts

Season bests

SeasonDisciplineResultWindDateTrendCompetitions
1985
60mH
8.19-Jan 19, 1985-Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, Paris (FRA) (i)
1984
400mH
49.58-Aug 4, 1984
↑
Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA (USA)
1984
4x400m
3:04.24-Aug 11, 1984
↑
Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA (USA)
1983
400mH
49.59-Mar 26, 1983
↑
Austin, TX (USA)
1983
4x400m
3:09.06-Aug 13, 1983
↑
IAAF World Championships, Olympiastadion, Helsinki
1982
110mH
13.76+1.0May 14, 1982
↑
Houston, TX (USA)
1982
400mH
49.17-May 15, 1982
↑
Houston, TX (USA)
1981
110mH
13.94-Jul 10, 1981
↑
Santo Domingo (DOM)
1981
400mH
50.32-Apr 3, 1981
↑
Austin, TX (USA)
1980
400mH
50.13-May 17, 1980
↑
Waco, TX (USA)
1979
110mH
13.99+0.9May 19, 1979
↑
La Habana (CUB)

1985

1 performance
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
60mH
8.19-Jan 19IAAF World Indoor Games, Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, Paris (i)

1984

7 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
4x400m
3:04.24-Aug 11The XXIII Olympic Games, Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
400mH
49.58-Aug 4The XXIII Olympic Games, Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
400mH
49.66-Aug 3The XXIII Olympic Games, Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
400mH
50.12-Jul 25Walnut, CA
400mH
50.46-Jul 21Sacramento, CA
400mH
50.16-May 20Austin, TX
400mH
50.10-Apr 28Walnut Mt. SAC Relays, Walnut, CA

1983

17 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
4x400m
3:09.06-Aug 13IAAF World Championships, Olympiastadion, Helsinki
400mH
49.99-Aug 8IAAF World Championships, Olympiastadion, Helsinki
400mH
50.64-Aug 7IAAF World Championships, Olympiastadion, Helsinki
400mH
49.99-Aug 7IAAF World Championships, Olympiastadion, Helsinki
4x400m
3:09.06-Aug 7IAAF World Championships, Olympiastadion, Helsinki
400mH
50.93-Jul 28Paavo Nurmi Games, Turku
400mH
50.90-Jul 23Caorle
400mH
50.89-Jul 2Kingston
400mH
50.69-Jun 16Vancouver
400mH
50.80-Jun 3Houston NCAA Championships
400mH
50.24-Jun 1Houston NCAA Championships, Houston, TX
400mH
50.09-May 22Austin, TX
400mH
49.84-May 14Fort Worth, TX
400mH
50.44-Apr 30Tucson, AZ
400mH
49.93-Apr 17Baton Rouge, LA
400mH
50.70-Apr 8Austin Texas R, Austin, TX
400mH
49.59-Mar 26Austin, TX

1982

10 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
400mH
50.35-Aug 25Koblenz
400mH
50.63-Aug 20London
400mH
51.00-Aug 18Weltklasse Zürich, Zürich
110mH
13.98+0.2Jun 18Knoxville TAC Championships, Knoxville, TN
110mH
13.85-0.5Jun 3Provo NCAA Championships, Provo, UT
400mH
49.17-May 15Houston, TX
110mH
13.76+1.0May 14Houston, TX
400mH
50.48-May 14Houston, TX
110mH
13.96-Apr 16Waco, TX
400mH
50.31-Apr 2Austin Tex R, Austin, TX

1981

4 performances
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
110mH
13.94-Jul 10Santo Domingo
400mH
50.54-Apr 24College Station, TX
110mH
13.98-Apr 17Waco, TX
400mH
50.32-Apr 3Austin, TX

1980

1 performance
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
400mH
50.13-May 17Waco, TX

1979

1 performance
DisciplineResultWindDateCompetitions
110mH
13.99+0.9May 19La Habana

Honours

No medals

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is Karl Smith's 400 m hurdles personal best?

Karl Smith's 400 m hurdles personal best is 49.17, set on May 15, 1982 in Houston, TX (USA), #423 on the all-time list.

Which events does Karl Smith compete in?

Karl Smith competes in the 400 m hurdles and 110 m hurdles.

How did Karl Smith perform in 1985?

1985 season best: 8.19, set on Jan 19, 1985 in Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, Paris (FRA) (i).