Athletics at the 1970 British Commonwealth Games – Women's 400 metres

The women's 400 metres event at the 1970 British Commonwealth Games was held on 22 and 23 July at the Meadowbank Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was the first time that the metric distance was contested at the Games, replacing the 440 yards event.

The winning margin was 2.64 seconds which as of 2024 remains the only time the women's 400 metres was won by more than two seconds at these games.

Medallists + Gold Silver BronzeMarilyn NeufvilleSandra BrownJudith Ayaa

Results Heats Qualification for final The first 4 in each semifinal heat (Q) qualified directly for the final.

+ Rank Heat Name Nationality Time Notes 1 1 Marilyn Neufville 53.0 Q 2 1 Jannette Champion 54.9 Q 3 1 Avril Beattie 55.1 Q 4 1 Maeve Kyle 55.3 Q 5 1 Cecilia Smith 55.5 6 1 Heather McKay 59.1 1 2 Judith Ayaa 52.8 Q 2 2 Sandra Brown 53.8 Q 3 2 Avril Bowring 54.1 Q 4 2 Barbara Lyall 54.1 Q 5 2 Maureen Tranter 54.3 6 2 Joyce Sadowick 55.2 7 2 Beverly Franklyn 57.2 2 Alice Annum DNS

Final Rank Name Nationality Time Notes Marilyn Neufville 51.02 WR Sandra Brown 53.66 Judith Ayaa 53.77 4 Jannette Champion 54.2 5 Barbara Lyall 54.7 6 Avril Bowring 54.7 7 Avril Beattie 54.8 8 Maeve Kyle 55.7

References

Heats results (p9) Australian results