1.5
Why is Roger Bannister still a legendary name in British and 
world sport, nearly 40 years after his most famous race? 
Because he made history. Because he was the first man to 
break that magic barrier of four minutes for the mile race. In 
1954, on the Iffley Road track of his Oxford University, 
running on cinders, he recorded 3 minutes 59.4 seconds and 
hit headlines around the world. Either physically or mentally, 
the four minute barrier had proved beyond generations of 
the world's best milers. But that year John Landy of Australia 
had been close to four minutes and Bannister believed he 
and Landy were in a "race" to break through the barrier. 
Later that year, Bannister beat Landy in a head to head 
battle in the final of the Empire Games mile at Vancouver, 
Canada - a race that remains one of the greatest. Bannister 
moved on to a successful career as a neurologist. But his 
breakthrough in the mile that day in Oxford remains one of 
the great sporting achievements of the century
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2.3
R.G. Bannister accomplished at Oxford yesterday what a 
whole world of milers had recently been bracing themselves 
to achieve first - the four-minute mile.  He did so in 
conditions which were far from promising and he did better 
than even time, for he finished weary but triumphant and 
mobbed by an encircling crowd, in 3min 59.4sec. - three-
fifths of a second less than the magic four minutes.  On the 
way, at 1,500 metres he had equalled another world record, 
shared by Gundar Haegg, the previous holder of the world 
record of 4 min. 1.4 sec. over the mile, Lennart Strand, 
another Swede, and Walther Lueg, of Germany.
  
The occasion was the annual match between the University 
and the Amateur Athletic Association which one fears was 
rather forgotten in the general excitement.  For the record, 
the A.A.A. won by 64 points to 34 in the 16 events.  The 
crowd might well have been larger but at least it did all it 
could to make up for lack of numbers by an intelligent 
enthusiasm which enabled many among them to realize 
when the last lap was being run and Bannister raced well 
ahead, that something big was about to be recorded by the 
time-keeper - almost certainly a world record - perhaps the 
four-minute mile itself.
  
STRONG GUSTY WIND  

The conditions have been described as unpromising because 
a strong gusty wind was bound to handicap the runners part 
of the time as they ran round the Iffley Road track and one 
or two early showers threatened worse things still.  Actually, 
the weather was fine for the race.  The match itself was not 
started until five o'clock in the evening and an uneasy hour 
passed, with little success for Oxford.  C.E.E. Higham's 
excellent time of 14.8sec. in the high hurdles only inches 
behind P.H. Hildreth, the A.A.A. champion, in spite of a slow 
start, was the best thing seen so far.  I.H. Boyd's victory in 
the half mile to a great extent made up for his failures 
through unfitness in the university sports.
  
But all this was quickly forgotten when the mile was 
announced and the six runners lined up.  Bannister, C.J. 
Chataway, W.T. Hulatt, and C.W. Brasher represented the 
A.A.A. and G.F. Dole and A.D. Gordon ran for Oxford.  
Bannister's great time of 4min. 3.6sec. last year was well in 
mind and Chataway started as a university record holder, but 
nothing dramatic enough happened during the first two laps 
to excite more than the actual time keepers.
  
Brasher, always a gallant and willing runner - or 
steeplechaser - set the pace and the first quarter was 
completed with Brasher a stride or two in front of Bannister 
and Chataway about the same distance away, third.
  
A DECISIVE PHASE  

Chataway went ahead about half way down the back-stretch 
during the third lap and Bannister went after him.  Brasher 
dropped back and, one fears, became forgotten though he 
had deserved well of all concerned.  At the bell, Chataway 
was still a little in front of Bannister and one had to wait 
again for the back-stretch to see a new and decisive phase in 
the race unfold itself.  Bannister now lengthened his 
magnificent stride and, obviously going very fast, passed 
Chataway and raced farther and farther ahead.
  
Spectators now really sensed a triumph of above the average, 
and as Bannister broke the tape some 50 yards ahead of 
Chataway there was a general swoop on to the centre of the 
field.  Bannister was encircled and disappeared from view, 
but somehow the news leaked out.  There was a scene of the 
wildest excitement - and what miserable spectators they 
would have been if they had not waved their programmes, 
shouted, even jumped in the air a little.  It is hard to believe 
that Bannister's time will not be accepted by the highest 
world authorities, for whatever else could be said the wind 
was at least as much of a handicap as occasionally it was a 
help.  Chataway's time of 4min. 7.2 sec. was his own personal 
best.
  
The following are Bannister's times for each quarter-mile: 
57.7sec., 60.6 sec., 62.4 sec., 58.7 sec.