Seventy years on from Sir Roger Bannister's record-breaking four minute mile, thousands took to the streets of Oxford to celebrate the anniversary of the historic achievement.
On May 6, a range of events commemorated the milestone which was achieved at Iffley Road, Oxford.
The festivities began with the Bannister Community Mile in the morning.
More than 1,500 participants, including former world champion and mile record holder Steve Cram and current world record holder Hicham El-Guerrouj, along with members of the Bannister, Chataway, and Brasher families sprinted down Oxford’s High Street from St Aldate’s to Iffley Road.
Schools, sports clubs, businesses, university groups, and specially invited schoolchildren, courtesy of World Athletics, took part in the community run.
Later in the day, almost 3,000 spectators congregated at the Iffley Road Sports Centre for a series of mile long races - the Bannister Track Miles.
The line-up included races for junior, veteran, and para competitors.
The climax was the elite men’s and women’s races at 6pm, exactly 70 years after Sir Roger's run.
The women's race was won by Khahisa Mhlanga, while Ossama Meslek won the men's race.
Mr Meslek achieved the fastest mile ever run at the Sir Roger Bannister Track as he finished in three minutes and 56.15 seconds.
Three other athletes – James Young, Tiernan Crorken, and Max Wharton – also finished under four minutes.
Mr Meslek said: "We always watch Highgate and think how great it is, so to have something like that for the mile is great."
The day also featured the global debut of the mile steeplechase, supported by World Athletics.
Alice Murray-Gourley and William Battershill were the victors, setting world bests for the event.
Attendees also enjoyed exhibits from the Museum of World Athletics and the presentation of World Athletics Heritage Plaques.
The event also helped to highlight the University of Oxford’s commitment to sports and community engagement, both locally and nationally.
The events introduced running to many new people, especially children, hundreds of whom participated in the Community Mile.
The track is due for a significant renovation this summer to boost its potential as a sports facility.
Future plans are underway to establish Bannister Miles as an annual event on Oxford’s sporting calendar each May, with the build-up to the 75th anniversary in 2029 now underway.
The events throughout the day were organised by the University of Oxford, Oxford University Cross Country Club, and Oxford University Athletic Club, supported by the Bannister family, World Athletics, the British Milers’ Club, and Oxfordshire County Council.
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