GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Christopher Robinson won the Olympic Development Men’s 400m while world and Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles posted a personal best in the event at Saturday’s Tom Jones Memorial 2025, held at the Percy Beard Track in in Gainesville, Alachua County, FL.
Running in the third of four heats, Robinson blew away his rivals with a superior finish in the homestretch, clocking a new world-leading time of 44.15 seconds. This improved on his previous lifetime best of 45.54 seconds, set earlier this month at the Grand Slam Track Kingston.
Former Florida sprinter Jacory Patterson, who now represents Cique Elite Track Club, clocked 44.27 seconds to win the opening heat, defeating fellow American Noah Lyles. Despite finishing well outside the podium spots, Lyles posted a personal best of 45.84 seconds.
The time saw Lyles, who is clearly working on his speed endurance ahead of the World Athletics Championships in September, improve on his previous personal best of 47.04, which was set nine years ago. Lyles finished 14th overall this weekend.
Meanwhile, Matthew Boling, former Georgia Bulldog now with Cique Elite Track Club, ran 44.92 seconds for second place behind Robinson in heat three, finishing third overall.
Erriyon Knighton of the USA, the world 200m silver medalist, ran 46.26 for 16th place overall.
