Katie Ledecky Swims 2nd-Fastest 500 Free in History in Delaware

Thanks to Christian Wisniewski for contributing to this report.

Katie Ledecky has asserted another point of dominance upon the world of distance swimming with the second-fastest 500 yard freestyle in history on Saturday.

Swimming at the Delaware State Cup on Saturday, a meet that she’s attended the last few seasons, Ledecky raced to a 4:27.21 in the event. She’s only been faster than that time once – in February of this year when she swam a 4:26.58.

Ledecky now holds the 5 best 500 yard freestyle times in history, and 7 out of the 10 fastest ever.

Ledecky’s Splits:

  • 100 free – 53.00
  • 200 free – 1:47.01 (54.01)
  • 300 free – 2:40.45 (53.44)
  • 400 free – 3:34.90 (54.45)
  • 500 free – 4:27.21 (52.31)

The Olympic Champion and World Record holder now ranks as the 4th-fastest 18 & under 500 yard freestyler in the country this season – of any gender.

The race, seeded as a mixed event, was won by her teammate and training partner Andrew Gemmell – also an Olympian – in 4:26.26.

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KD
8 years ago

Unbelievable swim. Best freestyler ever, quite possibly.

Worth noting that Ashley Twichell of open water fame (swims for TAC in North Carolina) went a 4:37 today. Don’t know what this means, just know that it’s fast.

BreaststrokeBen
Reply to  KD
8 years ago

I saw Twichell’s 1000 Friday. She ended up beating all the guys while splitting 4:40/4:43. Fastest turnover I’ve seen in person.

Mark Schwartz
8 years ago

Interestingly, I heard an interview with Lauren Boyle after the World championships, Ledecky’s performances seemed to light a fire under her, and at the ripe old age of 26 she is posting some of the best times of her career.

a curious swimmer
8 years ago

Does this mean that it’s the second fastest in history for both men and women?

SwimGeek
Reply to  a curious swimmer
8 years ago

Um, no. Assuming your question is actually serious — no, this is the second fastest time by a woman in history. Katie is the only woman under 4:30 in history, and she’s now done it at least 4 times that I can think of.

GoldenB
8 years ago

She’s is swimming a 50m free in an upcoming meet. I cannot WAIT for that! #GOATinthemaking.

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  GoldenB
8 years ago

let`s see how she does on a 50 as she showed incredible skills on any freestyle distance so far . Goat in the making ….YES

Joel Lin
8 years ago

That distance training group must do some pretty incredible practice swims.

swimmerkid
8 years ago

Reverse split??? Amazing.

SwimGeek
8 years ago

Looks like she was trying to be at Gemmell! Amazing.

Swimgeekgirl
8 years ago

4th fastest of any gender……

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Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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