# 4 × 100 metres relay

The 4 × 100 metres relay or sprint relay is an athletics track event run in lanes over one lap of the track with four runners completing 100 metres each. The first runners must begin in the same stagger as for the individual 400 m race. Each runner carries a relay baton. Before 2018, the baton had to be passed within a 20 m changeover box, preceded by a 10-metre acceleration zone. With a rule change effective November 1, 2017, that zone was modified to include the acceleration zone as part of the passing zone, making the entire zone 30 metres in length. The outgoing runner cannot touch the baton until it has entered the zone, and the incoming runner cannot touch it after it has left the zone. The zone is usually marked in yellow, frequently using lines, triangles or chevrons. While the rule book specifies the exact positioning of the marks, the colours and style are only "recommended". While most legacy tracks will still have the older markings, the rule change still uses existing marks. Not all governing body jurisdictions have adopted the rule change.
The transfer of the baton in this race is typically blind. The outgoing runner reaches a straight arm backwards when entering the changeover box or when the incoming runner makes a verbal signal. The outgoing runner does not look back, and it is the responsibility of the incoming runner to thrust the baton into the outstretched hand and not let go until the outgoing runner takes hold of it without crossing the changeover box and stops after the baton is exchanged. Runners on the first and third legs typically run on the inside of the lane with the baton in their right hand, while runners on the second and fourth legs take the baton in their left. Polished handovers can compensate for lack of basic speed to some extent, and disqualification for dropping the baton or failing to transfer it within the box is common, even at the highest level. Relay times are typically 2–3 seconds faster than the sum of best times of individual runners.
The United States men and women historically dominated this event through the 20th century, winning Olympic gold medals and the most IAAF/World Athletics championships. Carl Lewis ran the anchor leg on U.S. relay teams that set six world records from 1983 to 1992, including the first team to break 38 seconds.
The current men's world record stands at 36.84, set by the Jamaican team at the final of the 2012 London Olympic Games on 11 August 2012. As the only team to break 37 seconds to date, Jamaica has been the dominant team in the sport, winning two consecutive Olympic Gold Medals and four consecutive World Championships. The Jamaican team also set the previous record of 37.04 seconds at the 2011 World Championships.
The fastest electronically timed anchor leg run is 8.65 seconds by Usain Bolt at the 2015 IAAF World Relays, while Bob Hayes was hand-timed as running 8.7 seconds on a cinder track in the 1964 Tokyo Games Final. The Tokyo Games also had electronic timing. High-speed modern video analysis shows his time to be a more realistic 8.95-9.0 seconds in the final, a much more consistent time relative to his Fully Automatic Timing 10.06s 100m world record and more in line with the usual +0.25s-0.3s hand time to FAT conversion.
The women's world record stands at 40.82 seconds, set by the United States in 2012 at the London Olympics. The fastest anchor leg run by a woman was run by Christine Arron of France, timed unofficially at 9.67s.
According to the IAAF rules, world records in relays can only be set if all team members have the same nationality.

## History
### From the beginnings to the first official world record

If on the European continent the metric system is the one almost exclusively used (4 × 100 metres, or a lap of 400 m), where the imperial system is still used (UK, USA and Australia, mainly) this relay was rather ran over the distance of 4 × 110 yards, a total of 402.34 m, and that, until the late 1960s. The runway at Hayward Field was shortened to 400 m only in 1987.
Paradoxically, the first race recognized as certain, without however being an official world record, dates back to 1897, shortly after the creation, on 8 May, of the Česká amatérská atletická unie (ČAAU). On June 26 of that year, during Sparta's 5th match in Prague, the organizing team, AC Sparta Praha, defeated MAC Budapest, in 48 1/5 seconds.
Unlike the "long" 4×400 m relay, whose origins are clearly American, because it derives from the 4×440 yards, the 4×100 m relay is therefore of European origin. The Scandinavians, in particular, have introduced this new specialty into their programmes, in the hope of being able to play a decisive role in it.
Before World War I, this foundation period of the relay was gradually enhanced by various German or Swedish teams (such as AIK Stockholm), until the semi-finals of the Stockholm Olympic Games (1912) where this event made its Olympic appearance:
* in the 1st semi-final, the Great Britain team (consisting of David Jacobs, Henry Macintosh, Victor d'Arcy, and William Applegarth) reached 43 seconds 0 tenths (43 s) for the first time, behind the Americans who had finished in 42 seconds 5 , but who were disqualified for passing the baton out of the area;
* in the second semifinal, the Swedish team (Ivan Möller, Charles Luther, Ture Person and Knut Lindberg) took this record to 42 s 5, ahead of Hungary in 42 s 9.
These two runs have not been recognized by the IAAF as the first world records, despite their official nature. The first officially recognized world record for the fast relay is that of the German team, which on 8 July 1912, during the 3rd semifinal, runs in 42 seconds 3 tenths. The team consisted of Otto Röhr, Max Herrmann, Erwin Kern, and Richard Rau. In the final Great Britain, despite having finished second again, behind the favorites and the new world record holders, still won the gold medal, due to the loss of the German baton. Sweden is second in 42 s 6. The bronze medal is not awarded, because the Americans, still clumsy in passing the baton, were also downgraded. The German record in the semifinal (42"3) will remain the best result of the year. In 1913 it will be recognized by the newly formed IAAF as the first official world record of the specialty.
After this first Olympic event, in addition to the 4×400 m relay, the 4×100 m relay established itself as a classic Olympic event and will always remain on the programme, first for men, then extended to women. The two relays undergo little transformation over time. However, since 1926, the baton bearer has to remain in the baton transmission area, which is 20 m long. It wasn't until 1963 that the rules were relaxed: a 10m run-up zone, before this zone, allowed him to better tackle the run-up.

## Continental records

* Updated 16 August 2024.
| Area | Men | Men | Men | Women | Women | Women |
| Area | Time (s) | Athletes | Team | Time (s) | Athletes | Team |
| Africa (records) | 37.57 | Bayanda Walaza, Shaun Maswanganyi, Bradley Nkoana, Akani Simbine | RSA | 41.90 | Murielle Ahouré-Demps, Marie-Josée Ta Lou, Jessika Gbai, Maboundou Koné | Ivory Coast (CIV) |
| Asia (records) | 37.43 | Shuhei Tada, Kirara Shiraishi, Yoshihide Kiryu, Abdul Hakim Sani Brown | Japan | 42.23 | Li Xuemei, Liu Xiaomei, Li Yali, Xiao Lin | Sichuan ( China) |
| Europe (records) | 37.36 | Adam Gemili, Zharnel Hughes, Richard Kilty, Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake | UK | 41.37 | Marlies Göhr, Ingrid Auerswald-Lange, Sabine Rieger, Silke Möller | GDR |
| North, Central America and Caribbean (records) | 36.84 WR | Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Yohan Blake, Usain Bolt | Jamaica | 40.82 WR | Tianna Madison, Allyson Felix, Bianca Knight, Carmelita Jeter | USA |
| Oceania (records) | 38.12 | Joshua Azzopardi, Lachlan Kennedy, Calab Law, Jacob Despard | Australia | 42.48 | Ella Connolly, Bree Masters, Kristie Edwards, Torrie Lewis | Australia |
| South America (records) | 37.72 | Rodrigo do Nascimento, Vitor Hugo dos Santos, Derick Silva, Paulo André Camilo | Brazil | 42.29 | Evelyn dos Santos, Ana Cláudia Lemos, Franciela Krasucki, Rosângela Santos | Brazil |

## All-time top 10 by country

Key to tables:  Not ratified or later rescinded
X = annulled due to doping violation

### Men

* Updated August 2024
| Rank | Time | Team | Nation | Date | Place |
| 1 | 36.84 | Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Yohan Blake, Usain Bolt | Jamaica | 11 August 2012 | London |
| 2 |
| 2 | 37.04 X | Trell Kimmons, Justin Gatlin, Tyson Gay, Ryan Bailey | United States | 11 August 2012 | London |
| 2 | 37.10 | Christian Coleman, Justin Gatlin, Mike Rodgers, Noah Lyles | United States | 5 October 2019 | Doha |
| 3 | 37.36 | Adam Gemili, Zharnel Hughes, Richard Kilty, Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake | Great Britain | 5 October 2019 | Doha |
| 4 | 37.43 | Shuhei Tada, Kirara Shiraishi, Yoshihide Kiryu, Abdul Hakim Sani Brown | Japan | 5 October 2019 | Doha |
| 5 | 37.48 | Aaron Brown, Jerome Blake, Brendon Rodney, Andre De Grasse | Canada | 23 July 2022 | Eugene |
| 6 | 37.50 | Lorenzo Patta, Marcell Jacobs, Fausto Desalu, Filippo Tortu | Italy | 6 August 2021 | Tokyo |
| 7 | 37.57 | Bayanda Walaza, Shaun Maswanganyi, Bradley Nkoana, Akani Simbine | South Africa | 9 August 2024 | Saint-Denis |
| 8 | 37.62 | Darrel Brown, Marc Burns, Emmanuel Callander, Richard Thompson | Trinidad and Tobago | 22 August 2009 | Berlin |
| 9 | 37.72 | Rodrigo do Nascimento, Vitor Hugo dos Santos, Derick Silva, Paulo André de Oliveira | Brazil | 5 October 2019 | Doha |
| 10 | 37.79 | Su Bingtian, Xu Zhouzheng, Wu Zhiqiang, Xie Zhenye | China | 4 October 2019 | Doha |
| 10 | 37.79 | Tang Xingqiang, Xie Zhenye, Su Bingtian, Wu Zhiqiang | China | 6 August 2021 | Tokyo |
| 10 | 37.79 | Max Morinière, Daniel Sangouma, Jean-Charles Trouabal, Bruno Marie-Rose | France | 1 September 1990 | Split |

### Women

* Correct as of August 2023
| Rank | Time | Team | Nation | Date | Place |
| 1 | 40.82 | Tianna Madison, Allyson Felix, Bianca Knight, Carmelita Jeter | United States | 10 August 2012 | London |
| 2 | 41.02 | Briana Williams, Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson | Jamaica | 6 August 2021 | Tokyo |
| 3 | 41.37 | Silke Gladisch-Möller, Sabine Rieger-Günther, Ingrid Auerswald-Lange, Marlies Göhr | German Democratic Republic | 6 October 1985 | Canberra |
| 4 | 41.49 | Olga Bogoslovskaya, Galina Malchugina, Natalya Voronova, Irina Privalova | Russia | 22 August 1993 | Stuttgart |
| 5 | 41.55 | Asha Philip, Imani Lansiquot, Dina Asher-Smith, Daryll Neita | Great Britain | 5 August 2021 | Tokyo |
| 5 | 41.55 | Dina Asher-Smith, Imani Lansiquot, Amy Hunt, Daryll Neita | Great Britain | 20 July 2024 | London |
| 6 | 41.62 | Tatjana Pinto, Lisa Mayer, Gina Lückenkemper, Rebekka Haase | Germany | 29 July 2016 | Mannheim |
| 7 | 41.78 | Patricia Girard, Muriel Hurtis-Houairi, Sylviane Félix, Christine Arron | France | 30 August 2003 | Paris |
| 8 | 41.90 | Murielle Ahouré-Demps, Marie-Josée Ta Lou, Jessika Gbai, Maboundou Koné | Ivory Coast | 25 August 2023 | Budapest |
| 9 | 41.92 | Savatheda Fynes, Chandra Sturrup, Pauline Davis-Thompson, Debbie Ferguson | Bahamas | 29 August 1999 | Sevilla |
| 10 | 42.00 | Antonina Pobyubko, Natalya Voronova, Marina Zhirova, Elvira Barbashina | Soviet Union | 17 August 1985 | Moscow |

## All-time top 25
### Men

* Updated August 2024
| Rank | Time | Team | Nation | Date | Place |
| 1 | 36.84 | Nesta Carter Michael Frater Yohan Blake Usain Bolt | Jamaica | 11 August 2012 | London |
| 2 | 37.04 | Nesta Carter Michael Frater Yohan Blake Usain Bolt | Jamaica | 4 September 2011 | Daegu |
| 2 | 37.04 X | Trell Kimmons Justin Gatlin Tyson Gay Ryan Bailey | United States | 11 August 2012 | London |
| 3 |
| 3 | 37.10 X | Nesta Carter Michael Frater Usain Bolt Asafa Powell | Jamaica | 22 August 2008 | Beijing |
| 3 | 37.10 | Christian Coleman Justin Gatlin Michael Rodgers Noah Lyles | United States | 5 October 2019 | Doha |
| 4 | 37.27 | Asafa Powell Yohan Blake Nickel Ashmeade Usain Bolt | Jamaica | 19 August 2016 | Rio de Janeiro |
| 5 | 37.31 | Steve Mullings Michael Frater Usain Bolt Asafa Powell | Jamaica | 22 August 2009 | Berlin |
| 6 | 37.36 | Nesta Carter Kemar Bailey-Cole Nickel Ashmeade Usain Bolt | Jamaica | 18 August 2013 | Moscow |
| 6 | 37.36 | Nesta Carter Asafa Powell Nickel Ashmeade Usain Bolt | Jamaica | 29 August 2015 | Beijing |
| 6 | 37.36 | Adam Gemili Zharnel Hughes Richard Kilty Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake | Great Britain | 5 October 2019 | Doha |
| 9 |
| 9 | 37.38 X | Jeff Demps Darvis Patton Trell Kimmons Justin Gatlin | United States | 10 August 2012 | London |
| 9 | 37.38 | Mike Rodgers Justin Gatlin Tyson Gay Ryan Bailey | United States | 2 May 2015 | Nassau |
| 9 | 37.38 | Christian Coleman Fred Kerley Brandon Carnes Noah Lyles | United States | 26 August 2023 | Budapest |
| 11 | 37.39 | Nesta Carter Michael Frater Yohan Blake Kemar Bailey-Cole | Jamaica | 10 August 2012 | London |
| 12 | 37.40 | Michael Marsh Leroy Burrell Dennis Mitchell Carl Lewis | United States | 8 August 1992 | Barcelona |
| 12 | 37.40 | Jon Drummond Andre Cason Dennis Mitchell Leroy Burrell | United States | 21 August 1993 | Stuttgart |
| 12 | 37.40 | Courtney Lindsey Kenneth Bednarek Kyree King Noah Lyles | United States | 5 May 2024 | Nassau |
| 15 | 37.41 | Nesta Carter Asafa Powell Rasheed Dwyer Nickel Ashmeade | Jamaica | 29 August 2015 | Beijing |
| 16 | 37.43 | Shuhei Tada Kirara Shiraishi Yoshihide Kiryu Abdul Hakim Sani Brown | Japan | 5 October 2019 | Doha |
| 17 | 37.45 | Trell Kimmons Wallace Spearmon Tyson Gay Mike Rodgers | United States | 19 August 2010 | Zürich |
| 18 | 37.46 | Daniel Bailey Yohan Blake Mario Forsythe Usain Bolt | Antigua and Barbuda Jamaica Jamaica Jamaica | 25 July 2009 | London |
| 19 | 37.47 | Chijindu Ujah Adam Gemili Danny Talbot Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake | Great Britain | 12 August 2017 | London |
| 20 | 37.48 | Jon Drummond Andre Cason Dennis Mitchell Leroy Burrell | United States | 22 August 1993 | Stuttgart |
| 20 | 37.48 | Aaron Brown Jerome Blake Brendon Rodney Andre De Grasse | Canada | 23 July 2022 | Eugene |
| 22 | 37.49 | Courtney Lindsey Kenneth Bednarek Kyree King Noah Lyles | United States | 4 May 2024 | Nassau |
| 23 | 37.50 | Andre Cason Leroy Burrell Dennis Mitchell Carl Lewis | United States | 1 September 1991 | Tokyo |
| 23 | 37.50 | Lorenzo Patta Marcell Jacobs Eseosa Desalu Filippo Tortu | Italy | 6 August 2021 | Tokyo |
| 23 | 37.50 | Aaron Brown Jerome Blake Brendon Rodney Andre De Grasse | Canada | 9 August 2024 | Paris |
Note:
* A USA team ran 37.04 in London in 2012 but the performance was annulled due to use of performance-enhancing drugs by Tyson Gay
* A Jamaican team ran 37.10 in Beijing in 2008 but the performance was annulled due to use of performance-enhancing drugs by Nesta Carter
* A USA team ran 37.38 in the heats in London in 2012 but the performance was retrospectively disqualified following drug test failure by Tyson Gay, even though Gay only ran in the final and not the heat.

### Women

* Correct as of July 2024
| Rank | Time | Team | Nationality | Date | Place |
| 1 | 40.82 | Tianna Bartoletta Allyson Felix Bianca Knight Carmelita Jeter | United States | 10 August 2012 | London |
| 2 | 41.01 | Tianna Bartoletta Allyson Felix English Gardner Tori Bowie | United States | 19 August 2016 | Rio de Janeiro |
| 3 | 41.02 | Briana Williams Elaine Thompson-Herah Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Shericka Jackson | Jamaica | 6 August 2021 | Tokyo |
| 4 | 41.03 | Tamari Davis Twanisha Terry Gabrielle Thomas Sha'Carri Richardson | United States | 26 August 2023 | Budapest |
| 5 | 41.07 | Veronica Campbell-Brown Natasha Morrison Elaine Thompson Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce | Jamaica | 29 August 2015 | Beijing |
| 6 | 41.14 | Melissa Jefferson Abby Steiner Jenna Prandini Twanisha Terry | United States | 23 July 2022 | Eugene |
| 7 | 41.18 | Kemba Nelson Elaine Thompson-Herah Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Shericka Jackson | Jamaica | 23 July 2022 | Eugene |
| 8 | 41.21 | Natasha Morrison Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Shashalee Forbes Shericka Jackson | Jamaica | 26 August 2023 | Budapest |
| 9 | 41.29 | Carrie Russell Kerron Stewart Schillonie Calvert Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce | Jamaica | 18 August 2013 | Moscow |
| 10 | 41.36 | Christania Williams Elaine Thompson Veronica Campbell-Brown Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce | Jamaica | 19 August 2016 | Rio de Janeiro |
| 11 | 41.37 | Silke Gladisch-Möller Sabine Rieger-Günther Ingrid Auerswald-Lange Marlies Göhr | German Democratic Republic | 6 October 1985 | Canberra |
| 12 | 41.41 | Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Sherone Simpson Veronica Campbell-Brown Kerron Stewart | Jamaica | 10 August 2012 | London |
| 13 | 41.44 | Natalliah Whyte Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Jonielle Smith Shericka Jackson | Jamaica | 5 October 2019 | Doha |
| 14 | 41.45 | Javianne Oliver Teahna Daniels Jenna Prandini Gabrielle Thomas | United States | 6 August 2021 | Tokyo |
| 15 | 41.47 | Chryste Gaines Marion Jones Inger Miller Gail Devers | United States | 9 August 1997 | Athens |
| 16 | 41.49 | Olga Bogoslovskaya Galina Malchugina Natalya Pomoshchnikova-Voronova Irina Privalova | Russia | 22 August 1993 | Stuttgart |
| 16 | 41.49 | Michelle Finn-Burrell Gwen Torrence Wendy Vereen Gail Devers | United States | 22 August 1993 | Stuttgart |
| 18 | 41.52 | Chryste Gaines Marion Jones Inger Miller Gail Devers | United States | 8 August 1997 | Athens |
| 19 | 41.53 | Silke Gladisch-Möller Marita Koch Ingrid Auerswald-Lange Marlies Göhr | German Democratic Republic | 31 July 1983 | Berlin |
| 20 | 41.55 | Alice Brown Diane Williams Florence Griffith-Joyner Pam Marshall | United States | 21 August 1987 | Berlin |
| 20 | 41.55 | Asha Philip Imani Lansiquot Dina Asher-Smith Daryll Neita | Great Britain | 5 August 2021 | Tokyo |
| 20 | 41.55 | Texas Longhorns Julien Alfred Ezinne Abba Rhasidat Adeleke Kevona Davis | St. Lucia United States Ireland Jamaica | 8 June 2023 | Austin |
| 20 | 41.55 | Dina Asher-Smith Imani Lansiquot Amy Hunt Daryll Neita | Great Britain | 20 July 2024 | London |
| 24 | 41.56 | Bianca Knight Allyson Felix Marshevet Myers Carmelita Jeter | United States | 4 September 2011 | Daegu |
| 24 | 41.56 | Melissa Jefferson Aleia Hobbs Jenna Prandini Twanisha Terry | United States | 22 July 2022 | Eugene |

## Olympic Games medalists
### Men

| Games | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
Note: * Indicates athletes who ran in preliminary rounds and also received medals.

### Women

| Games | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
Note: * Indicates athletes who ran in preliminary rounds and also received medals.
* $^{nb}$ Note: Marion Jones was stripped of all her Olympic medals.
* In 2008 the Russian team of Evgeniya Polyakova, Aleksandra Fedoriva, Yulia Gushchina, and Yuliya Chermoshanskaya were initially awarded the gold medals. However, the medals were rescinded in 2016 following disqualification of Chermoshanskaya for use of performance-enhancing drugs.

## World Championships medalists
### Men

| Championships | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
Note * Indicates athletes who ran only in the preliminary round and also received medals.
* $^{4x100mdq1}$ The Nigerian team of Innocent Asonze, Francis Obikwelu, Daniel Effiong and Deji Aliu originally finished third in the 1999 World Championship, but were disqualified after Asonze was found to have used performance-enhancing drugs.
* $^{4x100mdq2}$ The United States team of Mickey Grimes, Bernard Williams, Dennis Mitchell and Tim Montgomery originally won the 2001 World Championship in a time of 37.96 seconds, but were disqualified after Montgomery admitted to drug use as a result of the BALCO scandal in 2005.
* $^{4x100mdq3}$ The British team of Christian Malcolm, Darren Campbell, Marlon Devonish and Dwain Chambers originally finished second in the 2003 World Championship, but were disqualified after Chambers was found to have used performance-enhancing drugs.

#### Medals by country

| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 1 | United States (USA) | 9 | 3 | 0 | 12 |
| 2 | Jamaica (JAM) | 4 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
| 3 | Canada (CAN) | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| 4 | Great Britain (GBR) | 1 | 3 | 6 | 10 |
| 5 | France (FRA) | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 6 | South Africa (RSA) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 7 | Trinidad and Tobago (TTO) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 8 | Italy (ITA) | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 9 | Australia (AUS) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 9 | Brazil (BRA) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 9 | Soviet Union (URS) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 12 | Nigeria (NGR) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 12 | China (CHN) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 14 | Japan (JPN) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 15 | Netherlands (NED) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 15 | Saint Kitts and Nevis (SKN) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |

### Women

| Championships | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
| 1983 Helsinki details | East Germany (GDR) Silke Gladisch Marita Koch Ingrid Auerswald Marlies Oelsner-Göhr | Great Britain (GBR) Joan Baptiste Kathy Cook Beverley Callender Shirley Thomas | Jamaica (JAM) Leleith Hodges Jacqueline Pusey Juliet Cuthbert Merlene Ottey |
| 1987 Rome details | United States (USA) Alice Brown Diane Williams Florence Griffith-Joyner Pam Marshall | East Germany (GDR) Silke Möller Cornelia Oschkenat Kerstin Behrendt Marlies Göhr | Soviet Union (URS) Irina Slyusar Natalya Pomoshchnikova Natalya German Olga Antonova |
| 1991 Tokyo details | Jamaica (JAM) Dahlia Duhaney Juliet Cuthbert Beverly McDonald Merlene Ottey Merlene Frazer* | Soviet Union (URS) Natalya Kovtun Galina Malchugina Yelena Vinogradova Irina Privalova | Germany (GER) Grit Breuer Katrin Krabbe Sabine Richter Heike Drechsler |
| 1993 Stuttgart details | Russia (RUS) Olga Bogoslovskaya Galina Malchugina Natalya Pomoshchnikova-Voronova Irina Privalova Marina Trandenkova* | United States (USA) Michelle Finn Gwen Torrence Wendy Vereen Gail Devers Sheila Echols* | Jamaica (JAM) Michelle Freeman Juliet Campbell Nikole Mitchell Merlene Ottey Dahlia Duhaney* |
| 1995 Gothenburg details | United States (USA) Celena Mondie-Milner Carlette Guidry Chryste Gaines Gwen Torrence D'Andre Hill* | Jamaica (JAM) Dahlia Duhaney Juliet Cuthbert Beverly McDonald Merlene Ottey Michelle Freeman* | Germany (GER) Melanie Paschke Silke Lichtenhagen Silke-Beate Knoll Gabriele Becker |
| 1997 Athens details | United States (USA) Chryste Gaines Marion Jones Inger Miller Gail Devers | Jamaica (JAM) Beverly McDonald Merlene Frazer Juliet Cuthbert Beverly Grant | France (FRA) Patricia Girard-Léno Christine Arron Delphine Combe Sylviane Félix Frédérique Bangué* |
| 1999 Seville details | Bahamas (BAH) Savatheda Fynes Chandra Sturrup Pauline Davis-Thompson Debbie Ferguson Eldece Clarke-Lewis* | France (FRA) Patricia Girard Muriel Hurtis Katia Benth Christine Arron Fabé Dia* | Jamaica (JAM) Aleen Bailey Merlene Frazer, Beverly McDonald Peta-Gaye Dowdie |
| 2001 Edmonton$^{dq1}$ details | Germany (GER) Melanie Paschke Gabi Rockmeier Birgit Rockmeier Marion Wagner | France (FRA) Sylviane Félix Frédérique Bangué Muriel Hurtis Odiah Sidibé | Jamaica (JAM) Juliet Campbell Merlene Frazer Beverly McDonald Astia Walker Elva Goulbourne* |
| 2003 Saint-Denis details | France (FRA) Patricia Girard-Léno Muriel Hurtis Sylviane Félix Christine Arron | United States (USA) Angela Williams Chryste Gaines Inger Miller Torri Edwards Lauryn Williams* | Russia (RUS) Olga Fyodorova Yuliya Tabakova Marina Kislova Larisa Kruglova |
| 2005 Helsinki details | United States (USA) Angela Daigle Muna Lee Me'Lisa Barber Lauryn Williams | Jamaica (JAM) Danielle Browning Sherone Simpson Aleen Bailey Veronica Campbell Beverly McDonald* | Belarus (BLR) Yulia Nestsiarenka Natallia Solohub Alena Newmyarzhytskaya Aksana Drahun |
| 2007 Osaka details | United States (USA) Lauryn Williams Allyson Felix Mikele Barber Torri Edwards Carmelita Jeter* Mechelle Lewis* | Jamaica (JAM) Sheri-Ann Brooks Kerron Stewart Simone Facey Veronica Campbell Shelly-Ann Fraser* | Belgium (BEL) Olivia Borlée Hanna Mariën Élodie Ouédraogo Kim Gevaert |
| 2009 Berlin details | Jamaica (JAM) Simone Facey Shelly-Ann Fraser Aleen Bailey Kerron Stewart | Bahamas (BAH) Sheniqua Ferguson Chandra Sturrup Christine Amertil Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie | Germany (GER) Marion Wagner Anne Möllinger Cathleen Tschirch Verena Sailer |
| 2011 Daegu details | United States (USA) Bianca Knight Allyson Felix Marshevet Myers Carmelita Jeter Shalonda Solomon* Alexandria Anderson* | Jamaica (JAM) Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Kerron Stewart Sherone Simpson Veronica Campbell-Brown Jura Levy* | Ukraine (UKR) Olesya Povh Nataliya Pohrebnyak Mariya Ryemyen Hrystyna Stuy |
| 2013 Moscow details | Jamaica (JAM) Carrie Russell Kerron Stewart Schillonie Calvert Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Sheri-Ann Brooks* | United States (USA) Jeneba Tarmoh Alexandria Anderson English Gardner Octavious Freeman | Great Britain (GBR) Dina Asher-Smith Ashleigh Nelson Annabelle Lewis Hayley Jones |
| 2015 Beijing details | Jamaica (JAM) Veronica Campbell-Brown Natasha Morrison Elaine Thompson Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Sherone Simpson* Kerron Stewart* | United States (USA) English Gardner Allyson Felix Jenna Prandini Jasmine Todd | Trinidad and Tobago (TRI) Kelly-Ann Baptiste Michelle-Lee Ahye Reyare Thomas Semoy Hackett Khalifa St. Fort* |
| 2017 London details | United States (USA) Aaliyah Brown Allyson Felix Morolake Akinosun Tori Bowie Ariana Washington* | Great Britain (GBR) Asha Philip Desirèe Henry Dina Asher-Smith Daryll Neita | Jamaica (JAM) Jura Levy Natasha Morrison Simone Facey Sashalee Forbes Christania Williams* |
| 2019 Doha details | Jamaica (JAM) Natalliah Whyte Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Jonielle Smith Shericka Jackson Natasha Morrison* | Great Britain (GBR) Asha Philip Dina Asher-Smith Ashleigh Nelson Daryll Neita Imani-Lara Lansiquot* | United States (USA) Dezerea Bryant Teahna Daniels Morolake Akinosun Kiara Parker |
| 2022 Eugene details | United States (USA) Melissa Jefferson Abby Steiner Jenna Prandini Twanisha Terry Aleia Hobbs* | Jamaica (JAM) Kemba Nelson Elaine Thompson-Herah Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Shericka Jackson Briana Williams* Natalliah Whyte* Remona Burchell* | Germany (GER) Tatjana Pinto Alexandra Burghardt Gina Lückenkemper Rebekka Haase |
| 2023 Budapest details | United States (USA) Tamari Davis Twanisha Terry Gabrielle Thomas Sha'Carri Richardson Tamara Clark* Melissa Jefferson* | Jamaica (JAM) Natasha Morrison Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Shashalee Forbes Shericka Jackson Briana Williams* Elaine Thompson-Herah* | Great Britain (GBR) Asha Philip Imani-Lara Lansiquot Bianca Williams Daryll Neita Annie Tagoe* |
Note * Indicates athletes who ran only in the preliminary round and also received medals.
* $^{dq1}$ The United States team of Kelli White, Chryste Gaines, Inger Miller, and Marion Jones originally won the 2001 World Championship in a time of 41.71 seconds, but were disqualified after Jones and White were found to have used performance-enhancing drugs.

## Season's Bests
### Men

| Year | Time | Team | Athletes | Place | Event |
| 2024 | 37.40 | United States | Courtney Lindsey, Kenneth Bednarek, Kyree King, Noah Lyles | Nassau | 2024 World Athletics Relays |
| 2023 | 37.38 | United States | Christian Coleman, Fred Kerley, Brandon Carnes, Noah Lyles | Budapest | 2023 World Athletics Championships |
| 2022 | 37.48 | Canada | Aaron Brown, Jerome Blake, Brendon Rodney, Andre De Grasse | Eugene | 2022 World Athletics Championships |
| 2021 | 37.50 | Italy | Lorenzo Patta, Marcell Jacobs, Fausto Desalu, Filippo Tortu | Tokyo | 2020 Summer Olympics |
| 2020 | 38.56 | Sprintec Lions | Andrew Fisher, Everton Clarke, Romario Williams, Demish Gaye | Spanish Town | 2020 Milo Western Relays |
| 2019 | 37.10 | United States | Christian Coleman, Justin Gatlin, Mike Rodgers, Noah Lyles | Doha | 2019 World Athletics Championships |
| 2018 | 37.61 | Great Britain | Chijindu Ujah, Zharnel Hughes, Adam Gemili, Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake | London | 2018 London Müller Anniversary Games |
| 2017 | 37.47 | Great Britain | Chijindu Ujah, Adam Gemili, Danny Talbot, Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake | London | 2017 IAAF World Championships |
| 2016 | 37.27 | Jamaica | Asafa Powell, Yohan Blake, Nickel Ashmeade, Usain Bolt | Rio de Janeiro | 2016 Summer Olympics |
| 2015 | 37.36 | Jamaica | Nesta Carter, Asafa Powell, Nickel Ashmeade, Usain Bolt | Beijing | 2015 IAAF World Championships |
| 2014 | 37.58 | Jamaica | Jason Livermore, Kemar Bailey-Cole, Nickel Ashmeade, Usain Bolt | Glasgow | 2014 Commonwealth Games |
| 2013 | 37.36 | Jamaica | Nesta Carter, Kemar Bailey-Cole, Nickel Ashmeade, Usain Bolt | Moscow | 2013 IAAF World Championships |
| 2012 | 36.84 | Jamaica | Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Yohan Blake, Usain Bolt | London | 2012 Summer Olympics |
| 2011 | 37.04 | Jamaica | Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Yohan Blake, Usain Bolt | Daegu | 2011 IAAF World Championships |
| 2010 | 37.45 | United States | Trell Kimmons, Wallace Spearmon, Tyson Gay, Mike Rodgers | Zurich | 2010 Weltklasse Zürich |
| 2009 | 37.31 | Jamaica | Steve Mullings, Michael Frater, Yohan Blake, Usain Bolt | Berlin | 2009 IAAF World Championships |
| 2008 | 37.80 | United States Red | Rodney Martin, Travis Padgett, Shawn Crawford, Darvis Patton | London | 2008 London Grand Prix |
| 2007 | 37.78 | United States | Darvis Patton, Wallace Spearmon, Tyson Gay, Leroy Dixon | Osaka | 2007 IAAF World Championships |
| 2006 | 37.59 | United States | Kaaron Conwright, Wallace Spearmon, Tyson Gay, Jason Smoots | Athens | 2006 IAAF World Cup |
| 2005 | 38.08 | France | Ladji Doucouré, Ronald Pognon, Eddy De Lépine, Lueyi Dovy | Helsinki | 2005 IAAF World Championships |
| 2004 | 37.92 | United States I | Shawn Crawford, Justin Gatlin, Coby Miller, Maurice Greene | Munich | Athletics Team Challenge |
| 2003 | 37.77 | United States I | Jon Drummond, Bernard Williams, Darvis Patton, Maurice Greene | Berlin | 2003 ISTAF Berlin |
| 2002 | 37.95 | United States | Jon Drummond, Jason Smoots, Kaaron Conwright, Coby Miller | Madrid | 2002 IAAF World Cup |
| 2001 | 37.88 | Hudson Smith International | Jon Drummond, Bernard Williams, Curtis Johnson, Maurice Greene | Austin | 2001 Texas Relays |
| 2000 | 37.61 | United States | Jon Drummond, Bernard Williams, Brian Lewis, Maurice Greene | Sydney | 2000 Summer Olympics |
| 1999 | 37.59 | United States | Jon Drummond, Tim Montgomery, Bernard Williams, Maurice Greene | Seville | 1999 IAAF World Championships |
| 1998 | 38.04 | Texas Christian University | Bryan Howard, Jarmiene Holloway, Syan Williams, Percival Spencer | Buffalo | 1998 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships |
| 1997 | 37.86 | Canada | Robert Esmie, Glenroy Gilbert, Bruny Surin, Donovan Bailey | Athens | 1997 IAAF World Championships |
| 1996 | 37.69 | Canada | Robert Esmie, Glenroy Gilbert, Bruny Surin, Donovan Bailey | Atlanta | 1996 Summer Olympics |
| 1995 | 38.16 | Canada | Robert Esmie, Glenroy Gilbert, Bruny Surin, Donovan Bailey | Gothenburg | 1995 IAAF World Championships (Semifinal) |
| 1994 | 37.79 | Santa Monica Track Club | Michael Marsh, Leroy Burrell, Floyd Heard, Carl Lewis | Walnut | 1994 Mt. SAC Relays |
| 1993 | 37.40 | United States | Jon Drummond, Andre Cason, Dennis Mitchell, Leroy Burrell | Stuttgart | 1993 IAAF World Championships |
| 1992 | 37.40 | United States | Michael Marsh, Leroy Burrell, Dennis Mitchell, Carl Lewis | Barcelona | 1992 Summer Olympics |
| 1991 | 37.50 | United States | Andre Cason, Leroy Burrell, Dennis Mitchell, Carl Lewis | Tokyo | 1991 IAAF World Championships |
| 1990 | 37.79 | France | Max Morinière, Daniel Sangouma, Jean-Charles Trouabal, Bruno Marie-Rose | Split | 1990 European Athletics Championships |
| 1989 | 38.23 A | Texas Christian University | Horatio Porter, Andrew Smith, Greg Sholars, Raymond Stewart | Provo | 1989 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships |
| 1988 | 38.19 | Soviet Union | Viktor Bryzhin, Vladimir Krylov, Vladimir Muravyov, Vitaliy Savin | Seoul | 1988 Summer Olympics |
| 1987 | 37.90 | United States | Lee McRae, Lee McNeill, Harvey Glance, Carl Lewis | Rome | 1987 IAAF World Championships |
| 1986 | 37.98 | United States | Lee McRae, Floyd Heard, Harvey Glance, Carl Lewis | Moscow | 1986 Goodwill Games |
| 1985 | 38.10 | United States | Harvey Glance, Kirk Baptiste, Calvin Smith, Dwayne Evans | Canberra | 1985 IAAF World Cup |
| 1984 | 37.83 | United States | Sam Graddy, Ron Brown, Calvin Smith, Carl Lewis | Los Angeles | 1984 Summer Olympics |
| 1983 | 37.86 | United States | Emmit King, Willie Gault, Calvin Smith, Carl Lewis | Helsinki | 1983 IAAF World Championships |
| 1982 | 38.13 | United States | Mel Lattany, Stanley Floyd, Calvin Smith, Carl Lewis | Zurich | 1982 Weltklasse Zürich |
| 1981 | 38.66 | Poland | Krzysztof Zwoliński, Zenon Licznerski, Leszek Dunecki, Marian Woronin | Zagreb | 1981 European Cup |
| 1980 | 38.26 | Soviet Union | Vladimir Muravyov, Nikolay Sidorov, Andrey Prokofyev, Aleksandr Aksinin | Moscow | 1980 Summer Olympics |
| 1979 | 38.30 A | South Team | Mike Roberson, Harvey Glance, Bill Collins, Mel Lattany | Colorado Springs | 1979 U.S. Olympic Festival |
| 1978 | 38.55 | Tobias Striders | Guy Abrahams, Michael Simmons, Don Quarrie, James Gilkes | Tempe | 1978 Sun Devil Classic |
| 1977 | 38.03 | United States | Bill Collins, Steve Riddick, Cliff Wiley, Steve Williams | Düsseldorf | 1977 IAAF World Cup |
| 1976 | 38.33 | United States | Harvey Glance, Johnny Jones, Millard Hampton, Steve Riddick | Montreal | 1976 Summer Olympics |
| 1975 | 38.31 A | United States | Clancy Edwards, Larry Brown, Donald Merrick, Bill Collins | Mexico City | 1975 Pan American Games |
| 1974 | 38.69 | France | Lucien Sainte-Rose, Joseph Arame, Bruno Cherrier, Dominique Chauvelot | Rome | 1974 European Athletics Championships |
| 1973 | 38.8 | East Germany | Eberhard Weise, Michael Droese, Hans-Jürgen Bombach, Siegfried Schenke | East Berlin | |
| 1972 | 38.19 | United States | Larry Black, Robert Taylor, Gerald Tinker, Eddie Hart | Munich | 1972 Summer Olympics |

### Women

| Year | Time | Team | Athletes | Place | Event |
| 2024 | 41.55 | Great Britain | Dina Asher-Smith, Imani Lansiquot, Amy Hunt, Daryll Neita | London | 2024 London Athletics Meet |
| 2023 | 41.03 | United States | Tamari Davis, Twanisha Terry, Gabrielle Thomas, Sha'Carri Richardson | Budapest | 2023 World Athletics Championships |
| 2022 | 41.14 | United States | Melissa Jefferson, Abby Steiner, Jenna Prandini, Twanisha Terry | Eugene | 2022 World Athletics Championships |
| 2021 | 41.02 | Jamaica | Briana Williams, Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Shericka Jackson | Tokyo | 2020 Summer Olympics |
| 2020 | 43.47 | Sprintec | Shashalee Forbes, Natasha Morrison, Anastasia Natalie Le-Roy, Ronda Whyte | Kingston | 2020 Gibson McCook Relays |
| 2019 | 41.44 | Jamaica | Natalliah Whyte, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Jonielle Smith, Shericka Jackson | Doha | 2019 World Athletics Championships |
| 2018 | 41.88 | Great Britain | Asha Philip, Bianca Williams, Imani-Lara Lansiquot, Dina Asher-Smith | Berlin | 2018 European Athletics Championships |
| 2017 | 41.82 | United States | Aaliyah Brown, Allyson Felix, Morolake Akinosun, Tori Bowie | London | 2017 IAAF World Championships |
| 2016 | 41.01 | United States | Tianna Bartoletta, Allyson Felix, English Gardner, Tori Bowie | Rio de Janeiro | 2016 Summer Olympics |
| 2015 | 41.07 | Jamaica | Veronica Campbell-Brown, Natasha Morrison, Elaine Thompson, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce | Beijing | 2015 IAAF World Championships |
| 2014 | 41.83 | Jamaica | Kerron Stewart, Veronica Campbell-Brown, Schillonie Calvert, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce | Glasgow | 2014 Commonwealth Games |
| 2013 | 41.29 | Jamaica | Carrie Russell, Kerron Stewart, Schillonie Calvert, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce | Moscow | 2013 IAAF World Championships |
| 2012 | 40.82 | United States | Tianna Bartoletta, Allyson Felix, Bianca Knight, Carmelita Jeter | London | 2012 Summer Olympics |
| 2011 | 41.56 | United States | Bianca Knight, Allyson Felix, Marshevet Myers, Carmelita Jeter | Daegu | 2011 IAAF World Championships |
| 2010 | 42.29 | Ukraine | Olesya Povh, Nataliya Pohrebnyak, Mariya Ryemyen, Yelizaveta Bryzgina | Barcelona | 2010 European Athletics Championships |
| 2009 | 41.58 | United States | Lauryn Williams, Allyson Felix, Muna Lee, Carmelita Jeter | Cottbus | 2009 International Lausitzer Leichtathletik Meeting |
| 2008 | 42.24 | Jamaica | Shelly-Ann Fraser, Sheri-Ann Brooks, Aleen Bailey, Veronica Campbell-Brown | Beijing | 2008 Summer Olympics (Heat 2) |
| 2007 | 41.98 | United States | Lauryn Williams, Allyson Felix, Mikele Barber, Torri Edwards | Osaka | 2007 IAAF World Championships |
| 2006 | 42.26 | Americas | Aleen Bailey, Debbie Ferguson, Cydonie Mothersille, Sherone Simpson | Athens | 2006 IAAF World Cup |
| 2005 | 41.78 | United States | Angela Daigle, Muna Lee, Me'Lisa Barber, Lauryn Williams | Helsinki | 2005 IAAF World Championships |
| 2004 | 41.73 | Jamaica | Tayna Lawrence, Sherone Simpson, Aleen Bailey, Veronica Campbell | Athens | 2004 Summer Olympics |
| 2003 | 41.78 | France | Patricia Girard-Léno, Muriel Hurtis, Sylviane Félix, Christine Arron | Paris | 2003 IAAF World Championships |
| 2002 | 41.91 | Americas | Tayna Lawrence, Juliet Campbell, Beverly McDonald, Debbie Ferguson | Madrid | 2002 IAAF World Cup |
| 2001 | 42.32 | Germany | Melanie Paschke, Gabi Rockmeier, Birgit Rockmeier, Marion Wagner | Edmonton | 2001 IAAF World Championships |
| 2000 | 41.95 | Bahamas | Sevatheda Fynes, Chandra Sturrup, Pauline Davis-Thompson, Debbie Ferguson | Sydney | 2000 Summer Olympics |
| 1999 | 41.92 | Bahamas | Sevatheda Fynes, Chandra Sturrup, Pauline Davis-Thompson, Debbie Ferguson | Seville | 1999 IAAF World Championships |
| 1998 | 42.00 A | United States | Cheryl Taplin, Chryste Gaines, Inger Miller, Carlette Guidry-White | Johannesburg | 1998 IAAF World Cup |
| 1997 | 41.47 | United States | Chryste Gaines, Marion Jones, Inger Miller, Gail Devers | Athens | 1997 IAAF World Championships |
| 1996 | 41.95 | United States | Chryste Gaines, Gail Devers, Inger Miller, Gwen Torrence | Atlanta | 1996 Summer Olympics |
| 1995 | 42.12 | United States | Celena Mondie-Milner, Carlette Guidry-White, Chryste Gaines, Gwen Torrence | Gothenburg | 1995 IAAF World Championships |
| 1994 | 42.45 | United States | Chryste Gaines, Carlette Guidry, Cheryl Taplin, Dannette Young | Durham | 1994 Pan Africa-USA International |
| 1993 | 41.49 | Russia | Olga Bogoslovskaya, Galina Malchugina, Natalya Voronova, Irina Privalova | Stuttgart | 1993 IAAF World Championships |
| 1992 | 42.11 | United States | Evelyn Ashford, Esther Jones, Carlette Guidry, Gwen Torrence | Barcelona | 1992 Summer Olympics |
| 1991 | 41.91 | Germany | Grit Breuer, Katrin Krabbe, Sabine Richter, Heike Drechsler | Tokyo | 1991 IAAF World Championships (Heat 2) |
| 1990 | 41.68 | East Germany | Silke Möller, Katrin Krabbe, Kerstin Behrendt, Sabine Günther | Split | 1990 European Athletics Championships |
| 1989 | 41.68 | East Germany | Silke Möller, Katrin Krabbe, Kerstin Behrendt, Sabine Günther | Gateshead | 1989 European Cup |
| 1988 | 41.73 | East Germany | Silke Möller, Kerstin Behrendt, Ingrid Auerswald, Marlies Göhr | East Berlin | |
| 1987 | 41.55 | United States | Alice Brown, Diane Williams, Florence Griffith-Joyner, Pam Marshall | West Berlin | 1987 ISTAF Berlin |
| 1986 | 41.84 | East Germany | Silke Gladisch, Sabine Rieger, Ingrid Auerswald, Marlies Göhr | Stuttgart | 1986 European Athletics Championships |
| 1985 | 41.37 | East Germany | Silke Gladisch, Sabine Rieger, Ingrid Auerswald, Marlies Göhr | Canberra | 1985 IAAF World Cup |
| 1984 | 41.65 | United States | Alice Brown, Jeanette Bolden, Chandra Cheeseborough, Evelyn Ashford | Los Angeles | 1984 Summer Olympics |
| 1983 | 41.53 | East Germany | Silke Gladisch, Marita Koch, Ingrid Auerswald, Marlies Göhr | East Berlin | |
| 1982 | 41.97 | East Germany | Gesine Walther, Bärbel Wöckel, Bärbel Schölzel, Marlies Göhr | Potsdam | |
| 1981 | 42.22 | East Germany | Kirsten Siemon, Bärbel Wöckel, Gesine Walther, Marlies Göhr | Rome | 1981 IAAF World Cup |
| 1980 | 41.60 | East Germany | Romy Müller, Bärbel Wöckel, Ingrid Auerswald, Marlies Göhr | Moscow | 1980 Summer Olympics |
| 1979 | 42.09 | East Germany | Romy Müller, Bärbel Wöckel, Ingrid Auerswald, Marlies Göhr | Turin | 1979 European Cup |
| 1978 | 42.27 | East Germany | Johanna Klier, Monika Hamann, Carla Bodendorf, Marlies Göhr | Potsdam | |
| 1977 | 42.51 | Europe | Elvira Possekel, Andrea Lynch, Annegret Richter, Sonia Lannaman | Düsseldorf | 1977 IAAF World Cup |
| 1976 | 42.50 | East Germany | Marlies Oelsner, Renate Stecher, Carla Bodendorf, Martina Blos | Karl-Marx-Stadt | |
| 1975 | 42.74 | East Germany | Doris Maletzki, Monika Hamann, Sybille Priebsch, Renate Stecher | Sofia | 1975 European Cup (Semifinal) |
| 1974 | 42.51 | East Germany | Doris Maletzki, Renate Stecher, Christina Heinich, Bärbel Eckert | Rome | 1974 European Athletics Championships |
| 1973 | 42.6 h | East Germany | Petra Kandarr, Renate Stecher, Christina Heinich, Doris Selmigkeit | Potsdam | |
| 1972 | 42.81 | West Germany | Christiane Krause, Ingrid Mickler-Becker, Annegret Richter, Heide Rosendahl | Munich | 1972 Summer Olympics |