<p>I recently went to Penn with my team, and we got to see the Women's college 400m hurdle competition. The times that won were excellent (of course), but I was shocked to see that the majority of the runners ran it in 62-65. I can run a 68 and a girl on my team can run a 65 (going to college on a track scholarship), and it was surprising to see how slow these times were. Usually hurdles only add on about 3ish seconds to your 400m time, and there are plenty of girls who can run 59 or under (in D1), so it is strange to me that the girls as a whole weren't faster. Is it "easier" to get a D1 scholarship for 400m hurdles? I feel as though there is a lack of supply.</p>
<p>It’s hard to generalize based on the results of one meet. Since the 300H is the more popular distance in HS, coaches tend to develop their 400 hurdlers from that population. For example, the Ivy conference winner last year ran it in 59.08. I knew her in HS and she was recruited with a 44.0 in the 300H. </p>
<p>One possible explanation for the slower times in general at Penn this weekend may be that conference champs and NCAAs are coming up and hurdlers tend to get injuries that need rest in the weeks leading up to their big meets. A lot of schools may not have been running their top hurdlers, choosing to rest them instead.</p>
<p>Also - you also might be just a shade off in the conversion from 400m times to 400h times - for women it seems closer to 5.5 to 6 seconds.</p>
<p>Agree with Varska, add 5-7 seconds to the 400m times to estimate hurdle times. My D runs this event at her college…so I see the times at the meets. The top kids (the ones who make it to NCAA) are running below 62. 62-65 is respectable and will get you to college invitationals. To get any attention from D1 programs you will need to drop below 67 in high school.</p>
<p>On any given D1 team, 4-8 women can run under 60 in the 400, but only a couple on any given team can go under 65 in the hurdles. </p>
<p>Right now, your 68 will give you attention with D3 programs, stick with it!</p>