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News Archive

IAAF.org: 50 years on, John Landy reflects

Fifty years ago on May 6, 1954, young British medical student Roger Bannister

became the first man to run a mile in faster than four minutes. Paced by

training partners Chris Brasher and Chris Chataway, Bannister clocked 3:59.4 at

Oxford Universitys track at Ifley Road, Oxford, England.

It was a barrier-breaking performance some had believed impossible and,

although almost 1000 men have since joined Bannister in sub-4 territory, his

run remains the most celebrated achievement in athletics history.

 

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