70th Anniversary of Sir Roger Bannister’s Sub-Four Minute Mile Celebrated with Mass Running Event

A university celebrated the 70th anniversary of Sir Roger Bannister historic mile run in under four minutes with a large running event. Sir Roger a medical student at the time achieved this feat on May 6, 1954 at the Iffley Road track at Oxford University. He completed the mile in three minutes and 59.4 seconds. The Bannister Community Mile event attracted runners of all ages and abilities organized by the Oxford University Athletic Club and the university with support from Oxfordshire County Council.

Participants ran through the center of Oxford, starting from St Aldate’s, proceeding down the High Street, and finishing on Iffley Road, where they received medals on the renowned track. The event also included track races and the presentation of World Athletics Heritage Plaques. The Bodleian Libraries showcased archive highlights on Sir Roger life at Weston Library’s Blackwell Hall.

Reflecting on his achievement, Sir Roger described setting the record in front of a cheering crowd of about 3,000 people as “the moment of a lifetime.” Despite his success in athletics, he retired at the end of 1954 to focus on his medical studies. He later became a distinguished neurologist and passed away in March 2018 at the age of 88. Thurstan Bannister, Sir Roger’s son expressed excitement about the Bannister Community Mile noting its inspirational impact on many runners.