Noah Lyles can break little-known Usain Bolt record next week – with less than a decisecond between them
Noah Lyles will attempt to break Usain Bolt’s 150m world record at the 2025 Atlanta City Games on May 17. In May 2009, Bolt took to the streets of Manchester on an unconventional straight 150m track placed in a high street. After his 150m record Bolt went on to claim 17 more Olympic and World titles It was truly a spectacle to see Bolt run competitively outside of stadium bounds and clock a time of 14.35 seconds with a final 100m split of 8.72 seconds. He smashed the previous world record of 14.97 set by Linford Christie in 1994. The Jamaican was in top shape having won two gold medals and clocked two world records at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The Jamaican ran a time of 9.69 seconds in the 100m and 19.30 in the 200m. However, unlike any other of Bolt’s records someone came close to breaking it last year. Lyles ran a time of 14.41 seconds at the Atlanta City Games – which is the second-fastest ever time in the 150m. But upon crossing the finish line Lyles seemed aggravated as he realised how close he was to surpassing Bolt. The American was 0.06 seconds away from the now-retired athlete – the closest anyone has been to a Bolt record. Later that year, he became the 100m Olympic champion in Paris and also claimed a bronze in the 200m. This time around in 2025, Lyles will be in Atlanta to race beside Zharnel Hughes, Alexander Ogando, Ferdinand Omanyala – who are four of the top 20 fastest 150m runners ever. Lyles aims to defend his 100m and 200m world titles this yearGetty Each of Lyles' 150m times 2018 – 14.77s 2019 – 14.69s 2023 – 14.56s 2024 – 14.41s It must be noted that every time Lyles has run the event, he has clocked a faster time. The 27-year-old aims to further solidify his greatness at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships in September – where he will have his eyes focused on claiming three gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay. He may have to watch out for teenage sensation Gout Gout, who is also warming up for his first senior major competition. History of the 150m The 150m had its first high profile race in 1997 as two 1996 Olympic champions: Donovan Bailey (100m) and Michael Johnson (200m) wanted to settle who the fastest man in the world was. Johnson pulled up, claiming a hamstring injury, while Bailey finished the race and claimed the $1million prize. This led to Bailey then racing the 1992 Olympic 100m champion, Linford Christie, which led to a trilogy. RankAthleteTime (seconds)1Usain Bolt14.35=2Noah Lyles14.41=2Tyson Gay14.414Walter Dix14.655Zharnel Hughes14.666Yohan Blake14.717Jereem Richards14.758Pietro Mennea14.809Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake14.8110Michael Johnson14.83 In each year from 1995 to 1997, they raced. Christie won the first two outings and Bailey claimed the last.
Noah Lyles will attempt to break Usain Bolt’s 150m world record at the 2025 Atlanta City Games on May 17.
In May 2009, Bolt took to the streets of Manchester on an unconventional straight 150m track placed in a high street.
It was truly a spectacle to see Bolt run competitively outside of stadium bounds and clock a time of 14.35 seconds with a final 100m split of 8.72 seconds.
He smashed the previous world record of 14.97 set by Linford Christie in 1994.
The Jamaican was in top shape having won two gold medals and clocked two world records at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The Jamaican ran a time of 9.69 seconds in the 100m and 19.30 in the 200m.
However, unlike any other of Bolt’s records someone came close to breaking it last year.
Lyles ran a time of 14.41 seconds at the Atlanta City Games – which is the second-fastest ever time in the 150m.
But upon crossing the finish line Lyles seemed aggravated as he realised how close he was to surpassing Bolt.
The American was 0.06 seconds away from the now-retired athlete – the closest anyone has been to a Bolt record.
Later that year, he became the 100m Olympic champion in Paris and also claimed a bronze in the 200m.
This time around in 2025, Lyles will be in Atlanta to race beside Zharnel Hughes, Alexander Ogando, Ferdinand Omanyala – who are four of the top 20 fastest 150m runners ever.
Each of Lyles' 150m times
2018 – 14.77s
2019 – 14.69s
2023 – 14.56s
2024 – 14.41s
It must be noted that every time Lyles has run the event, he has clocked a faster time.
The 27-year-old aims to further solidify his greatness at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships in September – where he will have his eyes focused on claiming three gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay.
He may have to watch out for teenage sensation Gout Gout, who is also warming up for his first senior major competition.
History of the 150m
The 150m had its first high profile race in 1997 as two 1996 Olympic champions: Donovan Bailey (100m) and Michael Johnson (200m) wanted to settle who the fastest man in the world was.
Johnson pulled up, claiming a hamstring injury, while Bailey finished the race and claimed the $1million prize.
This led to Bailey then racing the 1992 Olympic 100m champion, Linford Christie, which led to a trilogy.
Rank Athlete Time (seconds) 1 Usain Bolt 14.35 =2 Noah Lyles 14.41 =2 Tyson Gay 14.41 4 Walter Dix 14.65 5 Zharnel Hughes 14.66 6 Yohan Blake 14.71 7 Jereem Richards 14.75 8 Pietro Mennea 14.80 9 Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake 14.81 10 Michael Johnson 14.83
In each year from 1995 to 1997, they raced. Christie won the first two outings and Bailey claimed the last.
