Top 10 Fastest Runners in the World 2024

The world’s fastest humans, champions of speed and stamina, these elite athletes excel in the world of sprinting, transforming every competition into a breathtaking display of fastest speed. Imagine running faster than a car in a school zone that’s the kind of jaw-dropping speed we’re talking about.

These abilities are vital in highly competitive and intense sprinting events. The athlete must cover the shortest possible distance at the most incredible pace to break the world’s record. From the explosive 100-metre race to the endurance-testing 200-metre sprint, get ready to meet the top 10 speed legends who’ve left the world in awe with their incredible top speeds. This isn’t just about running, it’s about breaking barriers and setting new milestones in human performance.

Top Fastest Runners in the World

When we talk about the “fastest people in the world,” we’re usually referring to sprinters, those incredible athletes who can dash over short distances quicker than anyone else. According to the recent statistics of 2024 the fastest runners are mostly African-Americans and Jamaicans. Below is a list of the top 10 fastest people in 2024 and the best speeds in the 100-meter dash races.

1. Usain Bolt (9.58 seconds in 100 m)

• Nationality: Jamaica
• Speed Records: 9.58 seconds (100m), 19.19 seconds (200m)
• Full name: Usain St. Leo Bolt OJ CD OLY
• Born: 21 August 1986
• Age: 38 years (as of February 2024)
• Height: 195 cm

Usain Bolt is the most fastest and famous runner in the world known as the “Lightning Bolt” for his electrifying performances. Holding the world record in both the 100m and 200m, despite having been retired from athletics since 2017, the Jamaican still holds the title of “the world’s fastest man” Bolt’s legacy is unparalleled in the world of sprinting. These records were both set in 2009, at the World Athletics championships in Berlin, marking a historic moment in the world of sports.

Usain Bolt is considered as the fastest man alive in sprint both categories: 9.58 seconds in the 100m and 19.19 seconds in the 200m.

Beyond his Olympic success, Bolt has claimed 11 World Championships titles, demonstrating his consistency and dominance over a decade-long career at the highest level of competition. Usain Bolt’s impact on sprinting and global sports is immeasurable.

2. Tyson Gay (9.69 seconds in 100m)

• Nationality: American
• Speed Records: 9.69 seconds (100m), 19.58 seconds (200m)
• Full name: Tyson Gay
• Born: 9 August 1982
• Age: 42 years (as of 2024)
• Birthplace: Lexington, Kentucky, United States
• Height: 180 cm

Tyson Gay is one of the fastest men in American history, showcasing incredible speed on the track. With his personal best of 9.69 seconds in the 100m, Gay has been a fierce competitor in the world of athletics, consistently challenging the limits of human speed.

Tyson Gay is 3 times World champion, 1 time diamond league final winner, 1 time world championship silver medalist, 2 times in world 8 top champions. Gay’s time of 9.69 seconds in the 100m, achieved in 2009, ties him as the second-fastest man ever in the world, showcasing his extraordinary capability to push the boundaries of speed. Similarly, his 200m best of 19.58 seconds, recorded in the same year, demonstrates his versatility and endurance over longer sprint distances, marking him as a standout athlete in both events.

3. Yohan Blake (9.69 seconds in 100m)

• Nationality: Jamaica
• Speed Records: 9.69 seconds (100m), 19.26 seconds (200m)
• Full name: Yohan Blake
• Born: 26 December 1989
• Age: 34 years (as of 2024)
• Birthplace: St. James Parish, Jamaica
• Height: 180 cm

Yohan Blake stands out as one of the premier sprinters of his generation. As the second fastest man ever in both the 100m and 200m. Blake’s speed was on full display as he clinched Olympic gold in the 4x100m relay at both the 2012 and 2016 Games, showcasing his critical role in Jamaica’s sprinting dominance. His remarkable achievement at the 2011 World Athletics Championships, where he became the youngest ever 100m world champion, solidified his status as one of the fastest men in history.

Yohan Blake is considered as the youngest ever World Champion in 100 m race.

4. Asafa Powell (9.72 seconds in 100m)

• Nationality: Jamaican
• Speed Records: 9.72 s (100m in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 2008) and 19.90 s (200m in Kingston, Jamaica, in 2006)
• Full name: Asafa Powell, CD
• Born: 23 November 1982
• Age: 41 years (as of 2024)
• Birthplace: Linstead, Jamaica
• Height: 191 cm

Asafa Powell, a retired Jamaican sprinter, is renowned for his achievements in the 100-meter sprint, marking his place among the fastest runners in the history of athletics. Powell’s career is highlighted by his remarkable ability to break the 100m world record on two separate occasions, showcasing his exceptional speed and consistency over the sprinting distance.

His first world record-setting performance came in June 2005, when Powell clocked a time of 9.77 seconds. This achievement not only demonstrated his prowess on the global stage but also set the benchmark for sprinting excellence at the time. Powell’s ability to maintain peak physical condition and competitive edge enabled him to break his own record, pushing the limits of human speed further.

5. Justin Gatlin (9.74 seconds in 100m)

• Nationality: American
• Speed Record: 9.74 s (100m in Doha, Qatar, in 2015) and 19.71 s (200m in Eugene, Oregon, USA, in 2015)
• Full name: Justin Alexander Gatlin
• Born: 10 February 1982
• Age: 42 years (as of 2024)
• Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
• Height: 185 cm

Gatlin is one of the top ten high-speed runners globally, with a world record of 9.74 seconds in the 100m. He won the Olympic 100m title in 2004 and was the world champion in both 2015 and 2017. Justin Gatlin is also the 2005 World Champion in 200 m and the 2019 World Champion in the 4 x 100m relay.

It’s important to clarify, however, that Gatlin’s personal best in the 100m is 9.74 seconds, achieved in May 2015 during the Doha Diamond League meeting. While this time is among the fastest ever recorded, it was not a world record when he ran it; the world record at that time was held by Usain Bolt. Nonetheless, Gatlin’s time of 9.74 seconds underscores his incredible speed and ability to compete at the highest levels of the sport.

6. Christian Coleman (9.76 seconds in 100m)

• Nationality: American
• Speed Record: 9.76 s (100m in Doha, Qatar, in 2019) and 19.85 s (200 m in Lexington, Kentucky, USA, in 2017)
• Full name: Christian Coleman
• Born: 6 March 1996
• Age: 28 years (as of 2024)
• Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia, United States
• Height: 175 cm

Christian Coleman is a standout figure in American sprinting, known for his explosive speed and remarkable achievements on the international stage. His accomplishments have solidified his reputation as one of the fastest men in the United States and across the globe.

7. Fred Kerley (9.76 seconds in 100m)

• Nationality: American
• Speed Record: 9.76s (100m in Eugene, OR, United States in 2022) and 19.76s (200m in Nairobi, Kenya in 2021)
• Full name: Fredrick Lee Kerley
• Born: 7 May 1995
• Age: 29 years (as of 2024)
• Birthplace: San Antonio, Texas, United States
• Height: 191 cm

Fred Kerley has showcased his versatility by excelling in the 100m, 200m, and 400m events in the world of track and field. Initially focusing on the 400m early in his career, he later transitioned to shorter sprints, finding success across all distances. Kerley’s personal bests are impressive across his events. He has run the 100m in 9.76 seconds, the 200m in 19.76 seconds, and the 400m in 43.64 seconds. These times make him one of the few athletes to have elite performances in all three sprints.

Kerley won a silver medal in the 100m at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, showcasing his speed on one of the biggest stages in sports. His performance at these games marked him as one of the top sprinters globally.

8. Trayvon Bromell (9.76 seconds in 100m)

• Nationality: American
• Speed Record: 9.76s (100m in Nairobi, Kenya in 2021) and 20.03s (200m in Eugene, OR, United States in 2015)
• Full name: Trayvon Jaquez Bromell
• Born: 10 July 1995
• Age: 29 years (as of 2024)
• Birthplace: St. Petersburg, Florida, United States
• Height: 173 cm

Trayvon Bromell made a name for himself early in his career. He won the 100m at the 2016 World Indoor Championships in Portland, securing his position as one of the fastest sprinters in the world. Bromell had an outstanding high school career, becoming the first high school athlete to break the 10-second barrier in the 100 meters with a time of 9.99 seconds, although this was achieved with a wind reading just above the legal limit.

Bromell represented the United States at the 2016 Rio Olympics in the 100 meters and 4×100 meters relay. Despite battling injuries, his participation underscored his status as a top sprinter.

9. Ferdinand Omanyala (9.77 seconds in 100m)

• Nationality: Kenyan
• Speed Record: 9.77s (100m in Nairobi, Kenya in 2021) and 20.33s (200m in Nairobi, Kenya in 2022)
• Full name: Ferdinand Omanyala Omurwa
• Born: 2 January 1996
• Age: 28 years (as of 2024)
• Birthplace: Nairobi
• Height: 175 cm

Ferdinand Omanyala is a Kenyan sprinter who has rapidly risen to prominence in the world of athletics, particularly in the 100 meters, where he has established himself as one of the fastest men globally. Ferdinand Omanyala is the Kenyan national record holder in the 100 meters. He made history by running a time of 9.77 seconds in September 2021, during the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi, Kenya. This performance not only broke the national record but also positioned him as the fastest man in Africa in the 100 meters.

His record time of 9.77 seconds not only made him the fastest African in history over 100 meters but also placed him among the top sprinters in the world in this distance.

10. Nesta Carter (9.78 seconds in 100m)

• Nationality: Jamaican
• Speed Record: 9.78 s (100m in Rieti, Italy, in 2010) and 20.25 s (200 m in Kingston, Jamaica, in 2011)
• Full name: Nesta Carter OD
• Born: 11 October 1985
• Age: 39 years (as of 2024)
• Birthplace: Manchester Parish, Jamaica
• Height: 173 cm

Carter specializes in the 100 meters. His personal best in the 100m is 9.78 seconds, recorded in 2010, which at the time made him one of the fastest men in history over the distance. He has been an integral part of the Jamaican 4×100 meters relay team, contributing to its dominance in the event. Carter won Olympic gold medals with the Jamaican 4×100 meters relay team in Beijing (2008) and London (2012). However, the Beijing gold medal was later stripped due to a doping violation.

Nesta Carter’s career faced a significant setback when he tested positive for a banned substance in a re-analysis of samples from the 2008 Beijing Olympics. As a result, the Jamaican 4×100 meters relay team was disqualified from their Beijing results, and the gold medals were stripped. This decision also impacted Usain Bolt, costing him one of his nine Olympic gold medals.

Conclusion

The world of track and field is full of incredible athletes, and the fastest runners have always captured our imagination. These athletes, through their speed, dedication, and hard work, continue to push the limits of human performance. From sprinting legends to promising newcomers, each runner brings their unique story and skills to the track, inspiring fans and future athletes alike. Whether breaking records, overcoming obstacles, or simply showing the joy of competing at their best, these runners embody the spirit of athletics. As we celebrate their achievements, we also look forward to seeing how they will inspire us next, both on and off the track. Their legacy is not just in the times they post or the medals they win but in the motivation and passion they share with the world.

Top 10 Fastest Runners in the World – FAQs

Who is the 1 fastest man in the world?

Usain Bolt, a Jamaican athlete born in 1986, is the fastest person in the world with record of 9.58 seconds in the 100m and 19.19 seconds in the 200m.

Who is the 2 fastest man in the world?

Blake is the second fastest man ever in both 100 m and 200 m. Together with Tyson Gay, he is the joint second fastest man ever over 100 m with a personal best of 9.69 seconds, with a – 0.2 wind, which he ran on 23 August 2012. Only Usain Bolt has run faster (9.58s, 9.63s, and 9.69s).

Is Mbappe faster than Usain Bolt?

Mbappe, one of the world’s fastest footballers, recently clocked an estimated speed of 10.9 seconds over 100m, over a second slower than Bolt’s world-record time of 9.58 seconds.

Can a woman break 10 seconds 100m?

No woman has recorded an official sub-10 second time yet. The female 100-metre world record is 10.49 seconds, set by American Florence Griffith-Joyner in 1988.

How can I run for 1 hour?

Begin with a 20-minute easy, relaxed pace run, aiming for rate of perceived exertion (RPE) 5/10, progressing to a 6/10 by the end of the 20 minutes. Next, you’ll nudge the effort up to a 6-7/10 RPE for 15 minutes, being sure to build the pace through the 15 minutes.