Final answer:
During high-intensity, short-duration runs like the 200 to 400 meter dash, the anaerobic glycolytic pathway is used to rapidly generate ATP without the need for oxygen.
Step-by-step explanation:
During a 200 to 400 meter run, the primary energy pathway used is the anaerobic glycolytic pathway (B) Anaerobic pathway. This pathway, also known as the Embden-Meyerhof pathway (EMP) or anaerobic glycolysis, occurs in the cytosol of the cell. It is favored during high-intensity, short-duration activities where the demand for ATP is high and the oxygen supply is limited. Anaerobic glycolysis can rapidly provide ATP without the need for oxygen, which is ideal for activities like sprinting. It is divided into two phases: the preparatory phase and the energy-yielding phase, the latter generating a net gain of 2 ATP molecules for each glucose molecule.