UJ Runner Clocks Fastest 4x400m Split in History
University of Johannesburg student Lythe Pillay just ran the fastest relay leg ever recorded—42.66 seconds—and now he's up for a global athletic honor. The South African sprinter helped his country shatter a national record and capture silver at the World Athletics Relays.
When Lythe Pillay grabbed the baton on that final lap in Botswana last month, he didn't just run fast. He ran into the history books.
The University of Johannesburg track star clocked an unofficial 42.66 seconds on his anchor leg of the men's 4x400m relay—the fastest split ever recorded in the event's history. Together with teammates Zakithi Nene, Leendert Koekemoer, and Mthi Mthimkhulu, Pillay powered South Africa to a stunning silver medal and a new national record of 2:55.07.
That time ranks as the fifth-fastest in the world. Ever.
The May 3rd race in Botswana wasn't just another relay final. It became an all-out assault on the record books, with the top three teams all posting historic times.
Botswana captured gold on home soil with the third-fastest time in history. Australia grabbed bronze with the sixth-fastest time ever recorded. And South Africa stood right there with them, proving African athletics has entered a golden era.
Now Pillay is the only South African nominated for World Athletics Athlete of the Month for May. He's competing against an impressive field of record-breakers, including the gold-medal Botswana team, Jamaica's world-record-setting mixed relay squad, and Switzerland's Simon Ehammer, who set a world decathlon long jump best.
Why This Inspires
At just university age, Pillay is already rewriting what's possible for South African sprinting. His performance proves that with the right support and competition, African athletes can stand toe-to-toe with anyone in the world.
The relay final showcased something rare in sports: three teams pushing each other to achieve what seemed impossible just moments before. When athletes compete at that level, everyone gets faster. Everyone gets better.
Public voting for the award closes June 7th, but for the University of Johannesburg community and South African athletics fans, Pillay has already won. His 42.66-second lap will inspire the next generation of South African runners to dream bigger and run faster.
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Based on reporting by Google: athlete breaks record
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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