Noah Lyles—always fast, always flashy, and never one to back down from a challenge. He’s all about the 100m and 200m, where his confidence shines just as much as his speed. But now? He’s eyeing something completely out of his comfort zone—the 400m. That’s not just a sprint; it’s a full-blown endurance battle where the last 100m feels like running through quicksand.

Even for someone like Lyles, who’s built for speed, the 400m is a whole different beast. Back in early March, Lyles joked about it, saying, “I want to see you do a 400 one day.” But now? It looks like that challenge is coming back around—and this time, it’s on him.

Well, on March 29, Noah Lyles posted on X, “Did a 400m workout yesterday and I’m not gonna lie… I think I need to run a 400 soon.” And here’s where it gets interesting—this tweet came right after Letsile Tebogo, the same guy who outpaced him in the Paris Olympics, crushed a 400m at the World Athletics Continental Tour by securing second place. But when?

One fan couldn’t help but ask, “Tebogo inspired?” after recent events had everyone talking. And for good reason—on March 29 at the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne, Australia, Letsile Tebogo took on an unexpected challenge. Instead of his signature 200m, where he’s made a name for himself after his heroics at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Tebogo tested his endurance in the 400m.

And if you know anything about track, you know that race isn’t just about speed. No, it’s all about lung-burning, lactic acid-filled battle to the finish. Tebogo took on the challenge to build endurance for a long season that leads up to the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September. The race ended in a Botswana podium sweep, with Bayapo Ndori snatching the win in 45.14 while Tebogo finished a hair behind in 45.26.

Sure, his time was way off his 44.29 personal best from last year, but let’s be real—Tebogo isn’t just testing the waters. But was Lyles about him indirectly? Coincidence? Maybe. Or maybe Tebogo’s performance lit a fire under Lyles. But Noah Lyles’ 400m idea came to his mind way before this meet!

Noah Lyles gets a push from his training partner as he tests new limits

Noah Lyles isn’t one to bite his tongue when it comes to big goals. Last year, he told Shannon Sharpe and Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson that if he ever took the 400m seriously, he’d be gunning for the world record. And we’re not talking small talk—Lyles has his sights on Wayde van Niekerk’s insane 43.03 from the 2016 Olympics. But here’s the catch—Lyles hasn’t touched the 400m since high school.

But don’t think that, for a moment, Lyles was bad. After all, he clocked a 47.04 back then. Since then, he’s been busy dominating the 100m and 200m, snagging 100m gold and 200m bronze in Paris before COVID kept him off the 4x400m relay squad. Now, Lyles is toying with the idea of making that 400m leap, and he’s got inspiration close to home.

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His training partner, Jereem Richards, shifted gears to the 400m and dropped a blistering 43.78 in the Olympic final. “Jereem made that jump, and he’s flying,” Lyles said. But it’s not all talk—two-time Olympic relay champ Vernon Norwood threw down the gauntlet. “If you want that 4×4 spot, show us at USA Champs,” Norwood challenged. Lyles replied, “It will come one day.”

However, it seems Lyles and Tebogo understand that participating in the 400m race could provide an advantage for their 100m and 200m competitions at the World Championships in Tokyo this September, which is their ultimate goal. This epic match between them will create an unforgettable competition.