Bannister Collection

Runners tried for years to break the four-minute mile, to the point where it was considered by many to be physically impossible. On May 6th, 1954, trainee-doctor Sir Roger Bannister set out to break the barrier. As he ticked off the laps, it was clear his attempt would be close. As he crossed the line, the announcer, Norris McWhirter, declared "The time was three..." and the cheers drowned out the rest. He’d done it: Bannister's exact time was 3:59.4.

Each year we celebrate the anniversary of Sir Roger Bannister’s first sub-four mile as a reminder that so-called “impossible” goals are the ones worth chasing.