Khaleb McRae Secures #1 Seed For 400m Final, Reacts to World Record | Post-Race Interview 2026 USATF
Khaleb McRae is heading into the Men's 400m Final as the #1 overall qualifier after winning his heat. In this post-race interview, McRae opens up about navigating the emotional high of his indoor world record ratification, dialing in his final 100 meters, and executing his game plan ahead of tomorrow's final.
Video Transcript
How did it feel getting the win 24-6?
I just want to be as smooth as possible.
I want to finish well, and, that's what I did to get ready for tomorrow.
How has this season kind of been building up towards USA this year?
It's been a lot of ups, and then some downs.
I haven't been running my best in my last three races, but, my goal is to be ready for September for Ultimate, so that's what I'm getting ready for.
Well, back to the drawing board, like after some not-so-great races, what do you, what do you kind of look to fix, look to improve on kind of getting to the point where you can win this one?
My last 100.
That's my, main focus for the rest of the season, just making sure I'm finishing on the 12.
I'm not sure what that was today, but it felt really good.
What can you do?
I mean, what, what are some things you can improve on that?
Like what is training look like?
I don't know.
But I work hard, so I mean, yeah, just working hard in practice, it need to come together.
Caleb, you mentioned some downs.
Do you mind, like, elaborating on that?
Just, coming off indoors, that was a big high.
You know, just trying to maintain that through the whole season is a little hard for me, but I'm winding it back up to get ready for September.
And what did it feel to get the world record officially ratified?
It was a long wait, but it took, it took some, a lot of stuff off my shoulders just waiting for that.
I wanted it to get done, so now it's done, I can move forward.
Did you, was there like a process that you were trying to- No figure out or something like that?
No, they told me it was done, it just was waiting on people to sign off for it, so that finally got done.
Yep.
Good job out there, man.
Appreciate y'all.
Thank you, Caleb.
