Iffley Road in Oxford is the place to be for the Bannister Miles celebrating the 70th anniversary of one of the most iconic moments in the history of British sport. See below for how to register for your free ticket!
NEWSFLASH: The 2024 Bannister Miles is a wrap! Results 👇
Email tickets@sportonspec.co.uk with ‘Athletics London alerts’ in the subject box to receive confirmation of the 2025 event once announced, plus breaking news of other great athletics events taking place in or within striking distance of London.
And in the meantime visit our ATHLETICS section here for other events coming up in the capital. Including the Night of the 10k PBs, Watford Grand Prix and London Diamond League!
2024 RESULTS
CONGRATULATIONS to Ossama Meslek (pictured below No.1) who led home no less than four men who went under four minutes at the Bannister Miles celebrating the 70th anniversary since Sir Roger Bannister broke the iconic mark for the first time.
Italian international Meslek produced a stunning turn of foot in the home straight to win the elite men’s mile in 3:56.15. He was followed home by James Young in 3:57.71, Tiarnan Crorken in 3:58.85 and Max Wharton with 3:59.19.
In the elite women’s mile Khai Mhlanga took the honours in 4:36.09.
A memorable day at the famous Iffley Road track was made extra special in the company of a quintet of legendary milers. World record holder Hicham El Guerrouj (whose record of 3:43.13 has stood since 1999), was joined by British record holder Steve Cram, Filbert Bayi, Noureddine Morceli and Eamonn Coghlan (all pictured below).
2024 EVENT PREVIEW
6 May 1954 at shortly after 6pm. A nation held its breath as Sir Roger Bannister achieved the previously impossible and ran the first sub-4 minute mile (BBC archive footage below). 3:59.4 to be precise. On 6 May 2024, at the Iffley Road track where sporting history was made, Bannister Miles is set to host a memorable day of activities celebrating Bannister’s legacy on the 70th anniversary of his famous record-breaking run. From a pop-up museum on the infield, community miles and an elite miles finale; there’s something for all athletics fans to enjoy.
👀 Read on to discover everything taking place and how you can be there! 👇
COMMUNITY MILE: 9am to 11am
A one-mile road run will take place in waves starting at 9am. This is open to participants of all ages and abilities. The Community Mile starts at St Aldate’s before running down the High Street and onto the Iffley Road Track. Finishers will receive a bespoke 70th Anniversary Medal. A limited amount of entries are available. Information on how to take part here.
MUSEUM & FOOD STALLS: 12.45pm onwards
A pop-up museum and various stalls serving food and drinks will be open on the Iffley Road track infield.
The Museum of World Athletics (MOWA) will feature memorabilia and film footage from the famous day in 1954. It’s a section of the World Athletics collection relating to one mile and 1500 metre running shipped from World Athletics’ HQ in Monaco. The historic display feature will also feature competition artifacts donated to the MOWA by nineteen of the world’s greatest middle distance runners. There is also a display of Bannister memorabilia kindly on loan from the collection at Pembroke College until 4.30pm.
TRACK MILES & PRESENTATIONS: 1pm to 6pm
A series of mile races throughout the day ranging from U13 through to the U15 and U17 trophy races ahead of the elite men’s and women’s miles at 6pm. Organised in collaboration with the British Milers Club and with help from World Athletics and England Athletics, the races will showcase the best of British middle-distance running. Para races will also be included in the programme, allowing para and able-bodied athletes to compete in the same event.
At 4.20pm on the infield, there will be a presentation of World Athletics heritage plaques commemorating Bannister’s achievement and Oxford University Athletic Club – 164 years since its foundation, the latter in recognition of the Club’s contribution to the development of athletics.
At 4.40pm on the track, in a first for Iffley Road, there will be mile steeplechase races.
BANNISTER MILES – SUPERMILERS IN ATTENDANCE
Famous names from the world of miling are due to attend the event. These include Filbert Bayi (who set a new world record of 3:51 in May 1975), Noureddine Morceli (who set a new world record of 3:44.39 in September 1993), British record-holder Steve Cram (whose world record time of 3:46.32 set in July 1985 remains a British record) and indoor mile legend Eamonn Coghlan. Joining the stellar line-up is the current world record-holder, Hicham El Guerrouj (his time of 3:43.13 was set on 7 July 1999).
ELITE MILES FINALE
The meet will conclude with a men’s and women’s elite mile race. The men’s race will start at 6pm, exactly seventy years since the starting gun announced the beginning of Bannister’s attempt. The women’s race will start at 5.45pm. A new generation of athletes will attempt to break the men’s 4.00 and women’s 4.35 marks under the watchful eye of some of history’s greatest milers who will be in attendance. Presentations will follow the elite mile races.
At the 50th anniversary, Australian star Craig Mottram clinched victory in the men’s race with 3:56.6. In the women’s event, Irish Olympian Sonia O’Sullivan triumphantly crossed the finish line in 4:27.8. Who will win on the 70th anniversary? All will be revealed at Iffley Road!
BANNISTER MILES – TICKETS, TIMINGS & TRAVEL
🎟️ Tickets are free. They can be booked via the ‘Get Tickets’ link.
🕘 Timings for the day:
12.45pm: Gates open. Entry via the Oxford University Rugby Football Club gate on Iffley Road.
12.45pm onwards: Pop-up museum and food and drinks stalls open on the Iffley Road track infield.
1pm-6pm: Track Miles.
4.20pm: On the infield – World Athletics Presentations and speeches from special guests.
4:40pm: On the track, mile steeplechase races.
6pm: On the track – elite men’s and women’s miles, under the watchful eye of some of history’s
greatest milers.
🚗 Travel tips: Parking is not available at the track. The nearest train station is Oxford which is a 30-minute walk from the Iffley Road Sports Centre. For more information see this ‘How to find us’ guide for Iffley Road.
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