Roger Bannister Passes
 

Some of the younger ones might not know the name, but as a very small kid this man was actually my inspiration to, well... run.

Just a tick-mark on a stop-watch, but was as big a deal back then as it was when Chuck Yeager went just a little faster in 1947.

On the sub- 4 minute mile:
Full story at this link.

RIP Sir.

Great post Badger thank you.

Many “experts” at the time thought that breaking the 4 minute mile was impossible.

The challenge of attempting something believed to be impossible.

Over 60 years have passed since the impossible 4-minute barrier was broken. In those 60 years, many men have broken the four-minute barrier but only 17 seconds has been shaved from that 4-minute barrier.

The 1500m makes the numbers look a little faster (25 men have run 1500 in less than 3:30), but it is not quite the full mile.

More to the credit of Mr Bannister is how he prioritizes his glory as the man that broke the 4 minute barrier, "None of my athletics was the greatest achievement, My medical work has been my achievement and my family with 14 grandchildren. Those are real achievements."

Rest well Mr Bannister, you ran one hell of a race!

I remember reading about this feat as a young boy in elementary school, truly someone to look up to but as pointed out quite modest. RIP Sir!

Roger Bannister's life was an inspiration to me, also. I actually got my mile time down to 4:30 in 1971 while in the 5th SFG. They thought the tie was wrong so I had to do it again. I ran the second one 45 minutes later in 4:38...

I got the "privilege" of one of those "mulligans" also one time. Smoked it in basic though & still have that letter from the Brigade CO for high PT score that cycle. And the snarky comments of "who the hell you think you are Private, Roger Bannister?" LOL.

Reflecting back now, Mr. Bannister's life (among many others) is a reminder to the things we can do which we might never know influences someone else in a positive way.

Alright kids - OFF the fucking couch, NOW! Go outside & get some cuts & scrapes.

I did also he was in 100 greatest athletes book I had....to be honest I did not know he was still alive wow

I knew of Bannister but was 3 when he broke 4:00. I do remember Jim Ryun when he did it as he was only 3 years older than me. An American high schooler from Kansas. :lifter And later a Congressman from Kansas from 1996 to 2007.

Rest in Peace, Sir Roger!

Pat