May 2024 has seen the 70th anniversary of not one, but two ground-breaking miles. Roger Bannister became the first male athlete to break the men’s four minute mile on 6th May 1954 – an achievement which brought him international recognition and created a renewed national interest in men’s middle distance running. Less well known perhaps is Diane Leather, who as 21 year old Chemistry student at Birmingham College of Technology and Birchfield Harriers athlete, broke the women’s five minute mile on the 29th May 1954, just 23 days Bannister’s success.
Both runners achievements have been celebrated during May.
Click the images below for more of each
SOAR Running have marked the occasion of Diane Leather’s sub five minute mile with their Fleet and Free event – inviting all runners around the world submit their mile times between the 23rd and 29th May. In addition, a panel discussion on women’s running was held in London on 22nd May.
Roger Bannister’s mile was celebrated in Oxford on 6th May 2024 with a Community Mile through the city centre in the morning, followed by elite races at the Oxford University Iffley Road track – where Bannister broke the four minute barrier – in the afternoon. Pembroke College and the Museum of World Athletics displayed memorabilia relating to Bannister’s achievements on the day.