400 metres Hurdles, Men

In 1908 this event was rarely held a major national meets, though it had been contested at the Olympics of 1900 and 1904. Unlike the 400 metre flat race, this event was run in lanes. As in the 110 metre hurdles, an excessive number of heats was scheduled. Seven of the heats had just one starter, one heat was declared void as there were no starters at all, and the remaining four heats had just two starters. Hence, after 12 heats, only four runners had been eliminated.

In the first round, Charles Bacon (USA) set a new Olympic record of 57.0 and Harry Hillman (USA) improved the record to 56.4 in the second round. Hillman had been Olympic champion in this event in 1904. Bacon recaptured the Olympic record and set a new world of 55.0 in winning the final. There was a delay in announcing the result as Bacon had taken a wrong hurdle during the race. He regained the proper course at the next hurdle and the judges, after due consideration, decided that he had covered the correct distance. In third place in the final was Jimmy Tremeer (GBR) who had won the British 100 yard title in 1897.