The 100-meter hurdles is one of the most exciting events in our sport. Sprint hurdles require impeccable technique and nerves of steel. Masai Russell has both of those attributes!
This writer remembers when Tobi Amusan ran her world record at the 100m hurdles. It was in the semi-finals of the Eugene World Championships, just four years ago. Many were astounded by the 12.12 set by Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan; it was unexpected. Tobi Amusan’s WR broke the 12.20 WR of Keni Harrison, run on July 22, 2016, at the London Diamond League, breaking the 28-year-old WR of Yordanka Donkova. The Bulgarian hurdler set the record in August 1988!
The 100-meter hurdles are also known as the sprint hurdles. In 100 meters, the athlete must overcome 10 hurdles, 83.8cm (33 inches) high. The first hurdle is 13.0 meters from the start (42.65 feet), with each hurdle following 8.5 meters apart (27.88 feet). The last hurdle is 10.5 meters (34.45 feet) from the finish.
The technical requirements of the 100-meter hurdles are immense. This is not an event for the timid. The technical clearing of the barriers must be precise: hip mobility is key, along with strong sprinting skills and muscle-memory step patterns.
Eugene, Oregon, USA
June 21-30, 2024. Photo by Kevin Morris
As in most events in our sport, the 100-meter hurdles requires a high learning curve, patience, and focus.
Masai Russell had her start in hurdling eight years ago, when she ran 13.80. It took three years for Masai to break 12 seconds, doing so with a 12.90 in 2021. Masai’s development is realistic and is also a great example for young athletes looking for inspiration: nothing great comes overnight. A huge lesson for young coaches to remind their young hurdlers about: precision hurdling comes with much practice and requires patience and focus.
Masai Russell ran 12.71 in 2022. In 2023, Masai set a collegiate record with her 12.36, then got down to 12.32.
Sprinting at one’s max speed and hurdling precisely are fraught with errors. Watching the sprint hurdles is like watching NASCAR; the crashes are huge, as the hurdlers get better and better. A small error takes one out of the medal mix, and a big error takes one out of the race.
In 2024, Masai Russell won the U.S. Olympic Trials in 12.25. Her gold medal performance in Paris was completed in 12.33. Masai was the Olympic champion!
Miramar, Florida, USA
May 2-4, 2025, photo by Kevin Morris
In 2025, Masai Russell continued her precision in hurdling and sprinting, running 12.19 at the Grand Slam series and a wind-aided 12.17 at the Miami Grand Slam. At the Tokyo 2025 World Champs, Masai had an off day, finishing fourth in 12.44. It was a surprise to many, as Ditaji Kambundji won the World Outdoor title.
In 2026, Masai Russell has been on a tear. She ran 12.14 in China in the second Diamond League meeting.
At Zurich, her eleventh 100m hurdle race of the season, Masai Russell was competing with a stellar field: Ditaji Kambundji, 2025 World Champ, Tobi Amusan, 2022 World Champ.
In the Zurich race, Masai Russell, who told interviewers post-race that she did not remember much, was nearly flawless. A good start, with her dominating hurdling and sprinting taking control by the third hurdle, Masai Russell delivered her 11th win in a row and the world record many have spoken of for her since 2025!
Masai Russell had a fun interview with the Flotrack team on Athletes Lounge post-race. In the mixed zone, Masai told the interviewer;
“Man, I can’t even remember it. I just knew that the start felt really good, and then by the time I looked up, I was crossing the line, and I was like, let me actually run through the line this time, and, um, yeah, see, see what the time is. So then, when I saw 12:09, I just knew, like, I got it, and I just got so emotional. I was like, oh my gosh, like. I dreamed about this moment, and then hearing the crowd, like, this is the best place I could have ever imagined to break the world record, like what?”
Masai Russell is the world record holder of the 100-meter hurdles in 12.09 seconds. The Paris 2024 Olympic champion ran through the finish and looked up to see her fast time, and she was rewarded, after eight years of hurdling, with a superb world record!
(Special thanks to Diamond League AG for flash quotes and mixed zone interviews)
