The holder of one of the most durable records in track and field history, Glenn "Slats" Hardin was the world's dominant 400m hurdler in the 1930s. He competed in both Olympic Games of that decade and was equally as tough in the 400m flat race. A versatile athlete at Louisiana State University, he won four national collegiate titles, two in the 440-yard run and two in the 220-yard low hurdles. Hardin was second in the 400m hurdles at the 1932 Olympic Games in 52.0 but was given credit for a world record when the winner, Robert Tisdail of Ireland, knocked down a hurdle, an error that in those days disqualified a performance for world record consideration. Hardin lowered the world record two more times and his 50.6 effort in 1934 lasted until 1953, one of the longest tenures of any record performance. He won three AAU intermediate hurdles titles and his best times of 46.8 for the 440 flat and 50.6 for the 400m hurdles are still impressive by today's standards. In 1936, Hardin finally got his Olympic gold medal and retired soon after, having been unbeaten in the 400m hurdles since the 1932 Olympics.
World Record: 400 m hurdles - 50.60 (July 26, 1934 - )
1932 Olympics: 400 m hurdles - 52.00 (2nd) 1936 Olympics: 400 m hurdles (1st)