BANNISTER TRACK MILES
Organised in collaboration with the British Milers Club, and with help from World Athletics and England Athletics, this event will showcase the very best of British middle-distance running. With a series of mile races throughout the day ranging from U13 through to the U15 and U17 trophy races and culminating in the elite men's and women's miles. As was initiated last year, para races will also be included in the programme allowing para and able-bodied athletes to compete in the same event.
In the late afternoon, there will be a presentation of World Athletics heritage plaques commemorating Bannister’s achievement and Oxford University Athletic Club - 164 years since its foundation, the latter in recognition of the Club's contribution to the development of athletics.
Finally, at 6 pm, exactly seventy years since the starting gun announced the beginning of Bannister’s attempt – the meet will conclude with men’s and women’s elite miles, where a new generation of athletes will attempt to break the men’s 4.00 and women’s 4.35 marks under the watchful eye of some of history’s greatest milers who will be in attendance.
LIVESTREAM AND RESULTS
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ONE MILE STEEPLECHASE
In partnership with the British Milers Club, we will be running a new distance for the steeplechase at this year’s event.
This event is an opportunity for experienced chasers to step down in distance and for 1500m runners to try the chase. There will be one race for men and one race for women with prize money and qualifying times detailed below. Please get in contact if you have any questions or would like to race, entry will be via the BMC website.
Qualifying times
Men’s Steeplechase Mile
Entry Standard guide 3:50 flat 1500m or 9:00 3000SC
Women’s Steeplechase Mile
Entry Standard guide 4:30 flat 1500m or 11:00 3000SC
Prize fund:
1st : £800
2nd: £400
3rd: £200
INVITATIONAL ELITE RACES
This iconic location offers top athletes an exceptional opportunity to race early in the 2024 season. At the 50th anniversary, Craig Mottram clinched victory in the men's race with 3:56.6. In the women's event, Sonia O'Sullivan triumphantly crossed the finish line in 4:27.8.
We’re excited to reveal a great prize pot for our elite races this year. Athletes will have the chance to compete for World ranking points, as well as cash prizes and product from our partners.
Official 1500m Split, wavelights and pacemakers included.
Prize fund:
1st: £1000
2nd: £500
3rd: £250
Men’s entry standard: 3.57 mile / 3.40 1500m
Women’s entry standard: 4.30 mile / 4.08 1500m
ELITE PARA RACES
Building on the success of last year's race for visually impaired athletes Bannister Miles will be hosting a range of classification races, aimed at athletes of all levels, from Oxfordshire to the Paralympics.
Prize fund:
1st: £250
2nd: £100
3rd: £50
Junior and National Race
In addition to the elite races, there will be a range of age-group and senior level races.
BMC will also be hosting their U15 and U17 trophy races. The Frank Horwill trophy is named after the BMC founder, and the Peter Coe trophy is awarded to honour the coach and father of world mile record holder Sebastian Coe.
NEW FORMAT FOR 2024
This year we have expanded our meet include more junior races and introduced even more para races.
As a result, and with this being an anniversary year with significantly more interest, we have had to make a few changes. To manage numbers on the track and allow us to host more para and junior races we have introduced entry standards. However, we recognise that this event has always been about participation for all and as such we have worked hard to offer the Community Mile for those who don't make the standard or would just like to run on the road instead of the track.
We are very proud to have closed the roads and put on an event that is open to all and we hope over 1500 people will take to the streets. Allowing over five times as many people to get involved compared to previous years!
ENTRY STANDARDS & 1500M TIMES
Entry standards on the BMC website are shown for the mile. Equivalent 1500m times will be accepted as qualifying times for this event. If you do not have a mile time please add your 1500m time to the comments section of the entry process. We will make a decision as to accept or not. Your entry may be placed into 'deferred' before a decision is made.
For those who haven't run a 1500m or mile this year and are close to the entry standard. Please do not hesitate in entering, just explain this in the comments.
Legends of Iffley Road
Official Merchandise
Legends of Iffley Road
BANNISTER TRACK MILES
BANNISTER TRACK MILES
Time | Athlete | Date | Nationality | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
3:59.6 | Craig Masback | 18/06/1978 | USA | Achilles vs USA Tour Match |
3:59.46 | Andy Baddeley | 23/07/2016 | GBR | Iffley Festival of Miles (BMC Grand Prix) |
3:59.4 | Roger Bannister | 06/05/1954 | GBR | OUAC vs AAA |
3:59.4 | Andrew Geddes | 19/05/1990 | GBR | Varsity Match |
3:58.9 | Simon Mugglestone | 19/05/1990 | GBR | Varsity Match |
3:58.76 | Jonathan Mellor | 20/07/2013 | GBR | Iffley Festival of Miles (BMC Grand Prix) |
3:58.70 | Richard Peters | 20/07/2013 | GBR | Iffley Festival of Miles (BMC Grand Prix) |
3:56.64 | Craig Mottram | 06/05/2004 | AUS | 50th Anniversary of the 4min Mile |
The what
In honour of Rodger Bannister's accomplishment 70 years ago, we're organising the Bannister Mile - a thrilling one-mile race where participants can strive to achieve the coveted sub-four-minute mile.
The where
Location: Lorum Ipsum Street, Oxford, OX1
The when
Date: 1st February 2024
Registration: 8am
Race: 9am