Mile News


Ostler Runs in Sir Roger’s Footsteps

August 08, 2012

I silently retire from competitive ghost-chasing. No longer in training, I hie to a quaint pub in downtown Oxford and, to the spirit of Roger Bannister and unbreakable barriers broken, hoist a pint.

By Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle

OXFORD, England -- The rain begins falling just as I arrive at the Iffley Road Athletics Track at Oxford University, where Roger Bannister broke the 4 minute Mile barrier.

Perfect.

This is the same weather, breezy and drippy, that Bannister encountered in 1954 when he arrived for his run.

He considered postponing his quest but decided to go for it. So if I'm going to run with Bannister's ghost, I can't wimp out.

OK, "ghost" is poetic license. Sir Roger is still alive and in fine fettle at 83.

I have come to run a Mile on Bannister's track, to see one of the world's true sporting shrines and pay homage to the great feat.

Bannister came here to break through what fellow runner John Landy called a "cement wall," a barrier psychological and, many believed, physical. Bannister came to prove that man can run a Mile under 4 minutes.

Continue reading at: sfgate.com
 

Tags: scott ostler (1) , roger bannister (174) , iffley road track (7)

Facebook Comments

Return the Mile to prominence on the American & worldwide sports and cultural landscape by elevating and celebrating the Mile to create a movement.

ELEVATE
Bring Back the Mile as the premier event in the sport, and increase interest in and media coverage of the Mile for both those who love the distance as well as the general public.

CELEBRATE
Bring Back the Mile to celebrate the storied distance and to recognize the people who made and make the Mile great and to promote Mile events and the next generation of U.S. Milers.

NATIONAL MOVEMENT
Bring Back the Mile to create a national movement for the Mile as America’s Distance,
to inspire Americans to run the Mile as part of their fitness program and to replace the 1600 meters at High School State Track & Field Meets across the country.

Become a Mile Maniac member or a BBTM sponsor today! Join us, and go Mile!

Join Us

Thanks for joining the movement and being a Mile Maniac. We'll keep you up to-date with our Mile wires as well as exclusive contests and opportunities. Help us spread the word by sharing our site and joining us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!