Distance: The Mile

For a few posts I am going to talk about various running distances. Some have historical significance, others not so much. All of these distances though bring people together for various reasons. First is the mile.

There are two distances in running which capture the imagination like no other; one is the marathon, the other is the mile. No two could be more different. The marathon is a grueling 26.2 mile endurance run. The mile is about timing and speed.

The 1950s was a time when track and field still captures the general public's imagination. There was a push in the running world to see who could break the 4:00 mile. So many had come close, and at this point there was a frenzy about this happening.

Three men around the world had the ability to break the mark: Australia's John Landy, Wes Santee of the United States, and Roger Bannister from Great Britain. All three had run 4:02 miles, and were getting faster. Bannister, a medical student, had been one of Britain's best runners at the time, but in 1952 was at a crossroads in his life. He finished out of the medals in the 1500m in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, and didn't know if he wanted to continue racing.

What he decided was that his new goal would be to break the 4:00 mile. He thought is was possible in 1953, after a race where he set the new British record of 4:03.6. With his medical background, he and some of his friends were developing an interval style of running, which he thought would be successful. After much anticipation by the British tabloids and the public, Bannister would make an attempt in June of 1953. Paced by some of the better runners of the day, he came close, but no cigar. The press was not overly kind to him. Still this only served to spur him on.

Landy and Santee were getting closer to the mark but running 4:02 miles. Bannister knew that if he was going to be the one, it would have to be soon. Soon came on May 6, 1954 at Iffley Road Track at Oxford. Bannister flew around the track, and when he finished, history had been achieved - 3:59.4. The world was now captivated by this historic event.

The mile is not always run in track meets as the metric system is the dominant measurement. 1550m is a "Metric Mile." Still around the world, men and woman still try to better the time. The current records are:

Men - Hicham El Guerrouj, Morroco, 3:43.13 (1999)
Women - Svetlana Masterkova, Russia, 4:12.56 (1996)
Charlie Colpaert - 9:32 (2007)

I know...not even close. Bannister in his 80s now could probably beat me.

Charlie