Fifty years ago today, Roger Bannister broke one of the great barriers, the 4 minute mile, when he ran it mile in 3:59.4, an accomplishment that is still considered one of the greatest moments in all of sports history. Since that day some 2000 runners have run sub-4:00 miles, but 50 years ago, the 4 minute mile was perhaps the greatest milestone in all of sport.
In his new book, The Perfect Mile, author Neal Bascomb writes about England’s Bannister, America’s Wes Santee and Australia’s John Landy, competition to break the “unbreakable” mark, and their subsequent attempts to re-take the mark as the fastest runner in the world.
Listen to Roger Bannister discuss his great achievment.
Listen to NPR commentator Frank Deford discuss the pure athleticism of Roger Bannister’s achievment.