Distance runner

Roger Bannister

British runner, first person to run a mile in under four minutes (1954)

All evidence

2 records, newest first. Strength changes with age and weight class, so check the date and context before you compare.

1. 1954

   • Mile3:59

     CompetitionFirst sub-four-minute mile, age 25Iffley Road, Oxford (first sub-four-minute mile)

     “Bannister's time was 3 minutes 59.4 seconds.”

     Roger Bannister - WikipediaOfficial result1954-05-06

     The first sub-four-minute mile.

   • Mile3:59

     CompetitionAge 251954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, Vancouver

     “Mile : 3:58.8 ( Vancouver 1954)”

     Roger Bannister - WikipediaOfficial result1954

     Personal best from the Wikipedia infobox, which cites official results. His lifetime best.