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 your free ticket!
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! 👇
MUSEUM & FOOD STALLS: 9am onwards
A pop-up museum and various stalls serving food and drinks will open on the Iffley Road track infield at 9am. The museum will feature memorabilia from the day and show some captivating films.
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.
TRACK MILES: 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.
In the late afternoon, 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.
ELITE MILES: 6pm
At 6pm, exactly seventy years since the starting gun announced the beginning of Bannister’s attempt, the meet will conclude with men’s and women’s elite miles. 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.
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:
9am onwards: Pop-up museum and food and drinks stalls open on the Iffley Road track infield.
9am-11am: Community Miles.
1pm-6pm: Track Miles.
6pm: Elite Races.
🚗 Travel tips: Parking is not available at the track. Spectators are advised to use public transport. 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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