byLarry EderLea Sprunger has had a colorful career in athletics. Her formative years were spent as a heptathlete and as she moved into the sprints, and then, the 400 meter hurdles, the strength and speed from her early carear has made a huge impact.
Lea Sprunger, courtesy of Swiss Athletics
At La Chaux-de-Fonds, Lea Sprunger recently set the Swiss record for the 400 meters, an epic one, and took the new record to 51.09. Her indoor 400m best is 52.24, and her 400m hurdles best is 54.63.
With that fine 400 meters, and her hurdle technique, I asked when we will see her under 54 seconds. Lea noted, ” I believe I can run under 54 seconds, perhaps this year, perhaps next year. On Thursday night, Lea Sprunger will run in the 400m hurdles against Dalilah Muhammed, the US champion, and with her time of 52.64, the fastest 400m hurdler active today. We wish Lea much luck as she runs the toughest event on the track, the 400 meter hurdles.
