How to play 400m
Here’s how to play the 400m: a free track and field pacing game in your browser. Alternate the left and right pads to run a lap against the Beat Pete characters, all the way up to Pete himself, but watch your stamina: go too hard and you’ll run dry.
Tap faster than the green tick on the cadence gauge and your stamina drains; ease off and it refills. Run empty and you can’t go any faster than the tick however fast you tap. Pace it, then spend what’s left near the line. Below you’ll find the full rules, tips and some common questions.
The basics
One lap, paced. Run the 400 metres against the characters, but mind your stamina: the skill is spending effort well, not mashing.
Running
- Tap left, then right, then left… Every alternating tap gives you a push. Between taps you slow down, so keep going. The same side twice is a stumble.
- A steady rhythm pushes harder than ragged tapping.
- Phones and tablets only. Keys are far quicker than thumbs, so Track & Field isn’t playable with a keyboard or mouse. That keeps every record fair.
Stamina
- The cadence gauge shows how fast you’re tapping. Above the green tick your stamina drains; below it, it refills.
- Run empty and you can’t go any faster than the green tick, however fast you tap. Ease off to recover.
- Pace it, then spend what’s left in the last stretch.
The start
- “On your marks… set…” then the gun, after a random wait. A tap before the gun, or within a tenth of a second of it, is a false start. The second false start disqualifies you.
The ladder
- You race one of the ten characters, from level 1 up to Pete. Beat a character to unlock the next. Four more runners fill the other lanes, six of you in all, and your finishing place is shown too.
Times
- Your fastest winning time goes on the leaderboard, to the hundredth of a second. The world record is 43.03 s, and the server won’t accept anything under 43.10 s.
Beginner tips
- Find the cadence you can hold. Sit just above the green tick and let the stamina bar drain slowly rather than all at once.
- Start quickly to get up to speed, then settle. Spending your stamina in the first 100 metres loses the race.
- Plan to be nearly empty at the finish: stamina left at the line is stamina wasted.
- Keep a steady rhythm and use both thumbs. Stumbles (the same side twice) cost speed.
Frequently asked questions
What does the stamina bar do?
It drains when your cadence is above the green tick and refills when you’re below it. When it’s empty you can’t go faster than the tick, however fast you tap.
How do I play the 400m on a phone?
Alternate the two big pads with your thumbs. The game is for phones and tablets only, because keys would be far quicker and records wouldn’t be fair.
What is a false start?
Tapping before the starting gun, or within a tenth of a second of it. The first one restarts the race; a second disqualifies you.
How fast can you run the 400m?
It takes a very well-judged pace to get near 44 seconds, which is about where Pete runs. The world record is 43.03 s, and the game won’t accept anything faster than 43.10 s.
How is it ranked?
By your fastest winning time, to the hundredth of a second. You win by finishing ahead of the character you chose to race.
Is the 400m free?
Yes. It’s free to play in your browser, with nothing to download.
Ready to play 400m?
It’s free and works in your browser — no download. Start against Trevor, the friendliest opponent, and sign up free to climb the ladder of ten computer players all the way to Pete.
Play 400m now