The Vitality Westminster Mile returns to the iconic course in the heart of London with a special edition celebrating the 70th anniversary of the historic first sub-four-minute mile. Spectating is free.
NEWSFLASH: The Vitality Westminster Mile is a wrap for 2024! Results 👇
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2024 RESULTS
CONGRATULATIONS to Katie Snowden and Joe Wigfield who won the women’s and men’s races respectively at the latest edition of the Vitality Westminster Mile.
Wigfield stormed to a historic victory in 3 minutes and 59 seconds in the inaugural British Milers’ Club (BMC) Bannister Mile in front of Buckingham Palace. 70 years after Sir Roger Bannister ran under four minutes over a mile for the first time, Wigfield became just the 21st man to achieve the feat on the road since that celebrated day. And the first ever at the Westminster Mile. He finished ahead of James Young and Jacob Cann (both 4:01). Meanwhile Snowden crossed the line in a time of 4:23, a women’s course record.
EVENT PREVIEW
The Vitality Westminster Mile is an event which inspires athletes and spectators alike. Taking place on Saturday 21 September, it starts on the famous red tarmac of The Mall it finishes in front of Buckingham Palace.
Racing starts at 9.30am with two adults waves ahead of a series of family waves from 10.15am. A Ruth Strauss Foundation wave is at 10.55am. More family waves and a wheelchair wave follow throughout the morning. All in the lead up to the BMC Bannister Mile at 2.20pm.
70th Anniversary of the first sub-four-minute mile
This month marks 70 years since Roger Bannister became the first man to achieve the holy grail of middle-distance athletics. He ran inside four minutes for the mile at Iffley Road, Oxford. Helped by his illustrious pacemakers Chris Brasher and Chris Chataway, Bannister ran the four laps of the track in 3 minutes and 59.4 seconds.
Since then, more than 250 British men have emulated Bannister’s achievement and run under four minutes for the mile on the track. 20 men have done it on a road course. But no one has managed to repeat the feat at Britain’s most iconic mile road race, the Vitality Westminster Mile. Chris O’Hare coming closest in 2019 when he ran 4:01.
With the help of the BMC, the cream of British men’s endurance running will this afternoon be offered the chance to make Westminster Mile history. Pacemakers will be employed to give the field the best chance to run a sub-four-minute mile around the historic loop of St James’s Park. The BMC women’s race will also have pacemakers with the aim of running inside 4:30.
There will be prize money available for the first (£1,000), second (£500) and third (£250) athletes home in the men’s and women’s race. Plus a bonus of £250 for the first man that runs inside four minutes. And a bonus of £250 for the first woman that can run faster than 4:20.
Westminster Mile – Vantage points for spectators
There are plenty of great vantage points for spectators. The course map can be viewed below. The route begins in the Mall, heads towards Admiralty Arch before turning into Horse Guards Road, following the perimeter of St James’s Park. The course then turns right again into Birdcage Walk, taking you past Wellington Barracks. Then there’s a final right turn into Spur Road and the Finish Line in front of Buckingham Palace.
VITALITY WELLNESS FESTIVAL
In addition to the racing the Vitality Wellness Festival will be open across the weekend. It’s part of the Westminster Mile and Vitality London 10,000 weekend. The festival is free and will open between 8.30am to 4pm on Saturday 21 September, enabling participants, their families and friends and members of the public to enjoy the variety of activities.
Have-a-go Sessions
Returning after a successful 2023 is the NBA area. The space is bigger in 2024. Participants and the public are encouraged to have a go at basketball and make movement fun. There will be inflatable basketball courts, with hoops to practise shooting and a dribble course to test dexterity.
New in 2024 is the British Triathlon have-a-go session. Those in attendance can test their speed on one of the six turbo bikes, including children’s bikes, as well as take on a duathlon challenge. A leaderboard will show the best scores. There will be giveaways and prizes on offer throughout Saturday.
Additionally, the Bloomsbury Football zone with a number of different activities to test ball skills, is new this year. Activations will include a giant football Velcro target. Participants have three attempts to kick a football at a target and to score as many points as possible. There will also be volley and score sessions led by Bloomsbury Football coaches. Plus a crossbar challenge and other fun football drills which are suitable for all ages.
The popular Vitality Tumbleator returns in 2024, along with stretching sessions with Vitality and Peloton. There will be Our Parks running yoga activations, along with arts and crafts available throughout the weekend.
There will be meet and greet stands over the weekend – Blueprint for All, parkrun, and the Ruth Strauss Foundation – with participants and spectators able to speak with three organisations who have waves at the Vitality Westminster Mile. Children with Cancer UK will have a picnic area next to the meet and greet stands, allowing families to enjoy the early days of Autumn in Green Park, and will be alongside the Westminster Community Wave stand, where participants can collect their free packed lunches.
WESTMINSTER MILE TICKETS, TIMINGS & TRAVEL
Spectating is free.
Vitality Wellness Festival open from 8.30am to 4pm.
Adults and family waves from 9.30am onwards.
BMC Bannister Mile at 2.20pm.
Full timetable 👇
Travel tips: Do not attempt to drive to the event as many roads in the area will be closed to traffic. The nearest tube stations are Green Park, Hyde Park Corner, Piccadilly Circus, St James’s Park, Charing Cross and Victoria which are all within walking distance. Plan your journey using the Transport for London website.
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