Roger Bannister (the man who broke the four-minute-mile)

Fellow medical students celebrate, after Roger’s win

Roger Bannister’s story is more than just a record in athletics. His name stands for pushing limits, chasing high goals, and inspiring others to follow. He will always be known as the man who broke the four-minute mile, deemed ‘impossible’ before then.

Even today, only 20 seconds or so has been shaved off that time, by Olympic champion runners.

Roger Bannister was born in Harrow, London, in 1929. His love for running showed early. He studied at University College School and then at Exeter College, Oxford. Despite coming from a modest background, Roger balanced his studies with his training, proving his dedication from a young age.

Unlike many athletes, Bannister was never a full-time runner. He studied medicine, a demanding path by itself, and became a doctor. Every day he trained in the evenings after classes. Bannister later said that his medical studies helped him understand the body and improve his running.

Before 1954, many believed it was impossible for a human to run a mile in under four minutes. Some even thought it was dangerous to try. Bannister set his sights on this “impossible” goal.

Despite working part-time as a junior doctor and having limited time for training, he pushed himself with smart, focused workouts rather than endless hours on the track.

On 6 May 1954, at the Iffley Road Track in Oxford, Roger Bannister lined up for the race that would define him. With the help of pacemakers Chris Brasher and Chris Chataway, Bannister crossed the finish in 3 minutes 59.4 seconds.

Bannister’s record didn’t last long—Australian John Landy broke it just weeks later. But Bannister’s run had unlocked a new mindset. Suddenly, the four-minute mile was possible.

After retiring from athletics, Bannister didn’t chase further sporting fame or records. He focused on medicine and neurology. He became a respected consultant and later the Master of Pembroke College, Oxford.