Bannister Landy Miracle Mile 1954

On 6th May 1954, Roger Bannister ran the first sub-4-minute mile at Iffley Road, Oxford. He held his world record for just six weeks before his great rival, John Landy of Australia, broke it by more than a second with a time of 3:58.0. The stage was now set for a dramatic showdown between the two runners in the final of the One Mile at the Empire Games in Vancouver on 7th August 1954.
This race proved to be probably the most exciting mile race ever run and is still known as the "Miracle Mile". A statue stands in Vancouver to commemorate its moment of highest drama, when John Landy looked back over his left shoulder just as Roger Bannister passed him on his right. Of that instant John Landy said, "When Lots wife looked back she was turned into a pillar of salt. When I looked back I was turned into a pillar of bronze!".
If you wish to see the pillar of bronze, see www.danielsacks.org.uk/html/da...

[@usedtorunfast3231]

As I watched the post-race interview with Bannister, I was reminded of the persistent soft cough I would experience every time I finished an especially quick race. It was an involuntary response by lungs taxed to the limit, not a faux cough .

[@quadbravo]

John Landy, complete class act. Listen to his speech at the end. Graciously accepts defeat. A lesson in sportsmanship.

[@aydensalazar5762]

Probably one of the most influential and inspiring moments in sports history...

[@cy8685]

Couldn't help but notice how much mutual respect was voiced between these two great athletes. Hard to find that these days - it's normally about how great "I" am, without much regard for competitors.

[@brma123]

Anyone complaining about Bannister collapsing hasn't run enough (or any) races to their absolute limit. Great runners expend their energy in such a way that it is completely exhausted by the finish line. Also, lactic acid is a powerful thing, and there's a ridiculous amount of it in one's system by the end of any race comparable to Bannister's. He was probably not acting.

[@stephenharris5139]

Roger Bannister was a great miler and an even greater man...God bless him as he has passed on to The Big Race...

[@Kracker615]

Just finished reading The Perfect Mile which lead me to this video. What a championship race ! I was too young at the time to remember the race but I grew up in B.C. with the knowledge that something special happened at the 1954 Commonwealth Games . A great moment in sports history.

[@michaelhiggins5341]

Absolutely the greatest performance ever in competitive running, Bannister has always been a hero to me ever since I was a little boy of 8 years old in 1954 when he broke the 4 minute barrier, still a hero to me 67 years later.

[@wrw]

In “The Four Minute Mile,” Bannister reveals he was fighting a cold that week. That’s why he was coughing after the race.

[@johncfl]

OMG, totally awesome! Isn't it wonderful that we have this to see and that someone posted it and that KZbin exists! Thanks to all. What great athletes.

[@korby8499]

Great race. Both competitors classy and humble. The world could use more of that today.

[@brenwalsh9232]

Bannister had a beautiful running motion.

[@christopherhosford7805]

Would like to call out to Bill Baillie, who led the first lap. Wonderful internationalist. I, saw him in person, at the 1966 Kingston Empire Games, in the 10,000. What a fine runner. Good on you, Bill! Best of health!

[@jajhall]

Great race, and gentlemen both. Says a lot about Bannister that he considered his contribution to medicine as the major achievement in his life. RIP Landy

[@danjsy]

Two very gracious runners

[@samhardy6319]

As someone else has said in the comments, both are very humble in their interviews and had mutual respect for each other. What a great race.

[@caracas787]

John Landy was by far the best athlete of my lifetime he was a true amature never gave excuses if he was

[@kinkle_Z]

RIP Sir Roger Bannister...

[@toddherrmann5041]

One race that more than lived up to the hype!

[@brainimp]

athletes were real Gentleman back then look how humble in victory they was and how complimentary of their opponents in defeat. with how much technology and sports science as moved if these guys were living a modern athletes lifestyle and racing today they would no doubt be up their around WR times