Wells was the first woman to run the 400m hurdles in under 55 seconds on three separate occasions, achieving this milestone at European Indoor Championships (54.53s, 1975) and twice outdoors (54.96s, 1976, and 55.11s, 1977). She was also the British indoor 400m hurdles record holder for over a decade (55.11s).

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Wells: The Trailblazing Pioneer of Women’s 400m Hurdles – A Record-Breaking Legacy In the groundbreaking world of track and field, few achievements carry the same symbolic weight as breaking the 55-second barrier in the 400m hurdles — a milestone that has long signified elite-level excellence. Wells, a trailblazing British athlete, not only achieved this rare feat three times across different competitions but cemented her legacy as the first woman in history to consistently run sub-55 seconds in the event. ### Breaking Barriers in 1975: The Pioneer’s Breakthrough In 1975, Wells etched her name into history at the European Indoor Championships, becoming the first woman ever to complete the 400m hurdles in under 55 seconds. With a time of 54.53 seconds, she shattered expectations and redefined what was possible for female hurdlers in both indoor and outdoor settings. This remarkable performance underscored her technical precision, mental resilience, and exceptional athleticism, setting a new benchmark in European athletics.