May 6, 2013 |
The Perfect Race |
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The drive to become bigger, faster, stronger is ingrained in our DNA. It shapes our efforts and our dreams. At the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, a 25-year-old runner named Roger Bannister set the British record in the 1500 meters. But he did not win the gold; he didn't even win a medal.
The loss almost caused Bannister to give up running and get on with his dream of becoming a doctor. Instead he set a goal: to become the first man to run a mile in under four minutes. His prior best? 4:07.8
He increased his training. On May 2, 1953, he made his first attempt and fell short (4:03.6). He tried again a month later, this time finishing in 4:02.
About 3,000 spectators were at the Iffley Road Track in Oxford on this day in 1954 to witness a meet between Banister's British AAA and Oxford. The winds were blowing so hard Bannister decided not to run. But when they subsided he changed his mind.Tucked in behind teammates Chris Brasher and Chris Chataway, Bannister ran masterfully, tactically. He began his finishing kick with 275 yards to go and finished far ahead of the field of six runners. When the stadium announcer Norris McWhirter (who went on to gain fame himself) dramatically announced the winning time, he was drowned out just after saying "... three..." The time was 3:59.4.
Bannister's record lasted only 46 days. He later became a heralded neurologist, and perhaps the most famous miler ever.
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Bannister break the mark. |
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To a friend |
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A friend to
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The History Channel Club |
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Who's Fastest Now? It's been more than a decade since the mile record was last set. Watch the current holder set the mark.
Run Your Race Inspired to start running yourself? Check out this site for training tips.
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Today's Quiz: |
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Who was the last American to hold the men's world record in the mile?
1. Jim Ryun
2. Steve Prefontaine
3. Frank Shorter
4. Billy Mills
Previous Question: Martin Luther King Jr. received his Ph.D. from what school?
Answer: Boston University
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