Iffley Road in Oxford is the place to be for the 2025 Bannister Miles on Monday 5 May celebrating the 71st of one of the most iconic moments in the history of British sport. Spectating is free!
6 May 1954 at shortly after 6pm. A nation held its breath. And then 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 5 May 2025, at the Iffley Road track where sporting history was made, Bannister Miles will celebrate the latest anniversary of his famous record-breaking run.
At last year’s event, Ossama Meslek (pictured below No.1) led home no less than four men who went under four minutes at the Bannister Miles. It was a fitting celebration of 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. He won the elite men’s mile in 3:56.15. James Young was second in 3:57.71, Tiarnan Crorken in 3:58.85 and Max Wharton with 3:59.19 also ran under four minutes.
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).
Italian international Ossama Meslek triumphed at the 70th anniversary winning the men’s mile in 3:56.15 In the women’s mile Khai Mhlanga took the honours in 4:36.09.
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 71st anniversary? Head to Iffley Road to find out!
TICKETS, TIMINGS & TRAVEL
🎟️ Spectating is free.
🕘 Timings for the day:
9am-11am: Mass participation road mile down the High Street and finishing on Iffley Road.
1pm-6pm: Track Miles. Entrance via the University Rugby Football Club gate on Iffley Road.
🚗 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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