William Meanix
William Meanix (William H. Meanix, born 18 January 1892) was an American hurdler who set a world record of 54.6 seconds for the 440 yards hurdles on 16 July 1915 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a mark that stood until 19201. Competing for the Boston Athletic Association, he won the first Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) national title in the 440 yards hurdles in 1914 and defended it in 19152. He was later a track coach at Tufts University3.
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 18 January 1892 (USA); listed measurements 180 cm / 64 kg1 |
| Club | Boston Athletic Association (Boston A.A.)4 |
| World record | 440 yards hurdles, 54 3/5 seconds (54.6), Cambridge, Massachusetts, 16 July 19151 |
| Record duration | Held until John Norton ran 54.2 in 19205 |
| AAU titles | 440 yards hurdles, 1914 (57.8) and 1915 (52.6, wind-assisted)2 |
| Education | English High School, Boston; then Colby College and Harvard6 |
| Later career | Track coach at Tufts University; described as a former Olympic hurdler3 |
Early life and 1914 title
Meanix became a track athlete at English High School in Boston and then studied at Colby College and Harvard6.
In 1914 he won the 440 yards hurdles at the AAU national championships in 57.8 seconds, an American record2.
The 1915 world record
On 16 July 1915, at Cambridge, Massachusetts, Meanix ran the 440 yards hurdles in 54 3/5 seconds (54.6)1 • 4. The race took place at the same meet at which Norman Taber broke the world mile record, and the 440 hurdles had been added to the program so that Taber's mark would be official; in this added event Meanix set his world record7. The Boston Post reported that "Billy Meanix of Harvard" surpassed his own American mark and Anderson's world record8.
Three weeks later, on 7 August 1915, Meanix won the AAU title in San Francisco in 52.6 seconds, but the race was run on a straight course with an excessive following wind, so the time was invalid for record purposes2 • 9 • 5.
Later career
Meanix finished second in the AAU 440 yards hurdles in 1916, 1917, and 1919, behind Walter Hummel in 1916 and Floyd Smart in 1917 and 19192. In 1920, John Norton ran 54 1/5 (54.2) at Pasadena, ending Meanix's tenure as record holder5. In 1922 he ran 59 seconds in the 440-yard high hurdles at the New England AAU Championships in Boston10.
He later turned to coaching. A Tufts University publication describes almost one hundred men reporting for the first track call to work out under "the new coach, William Meanix, former Olympic hurdler and holder of a world's record", with five returning letter men forming the nucleus of the squad3.
Place in the event's history
Meanix's 54.6 was the first ratified world best for the 440 yards hurdles by an American and remained the benchmark for the yard-distance event for nearly five years1. His wind-assisted 52.6 in 1915 was faster than any accepted mark in the event for over a decade; the accepted world record did not reach 52.6 until John Gibson ran 52 3/5 in 19272 • 5.
References
- IAAF World Records Progression, 2015 edition (entry for Meanix, William H.)
- History of US Nationals Results: 400 Hurdles, Men, Track & Field News
- Tufts University publication (Tufts Digital Library)
- A.G. Spalding & Bros. Almanac, 1919
- Progression of World Athletics Records, World Athletics
- English High School notable alumni, Boston Public Schools
- Track Newsletter, 1958, Track & Field News
- Boston Post, 17 July 1915, page 1
- Winalltime books page (note on Meanix's 52.6)
- New England AAU Outdoor Championships 1922, USATF New England
Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Individual sports and outdoor recreation › Athletics, gymnastics, and strength sports › Athletes of track and field and road running › Sprinters and hurdlers › Hurdlers › World record-setting hurdlers
Initially written Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Oct 25, 2026
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