Roger Bannister

Fifty-four years ago, an May 4, 1954, Roger Bannister became the first person in history to run a mile in less than four minutes. His official time was 3 minutes, 59.4 seconds, and after the race, he collapsed. Since then, the world record for the mile has been broken 18 times, most recently by Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco in 1999. The current record is 3 minutes 43.13 seconds.

Sir Roger was named Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year for his achievement. Bannister went on to medical school and became a neurologist. Dr. Bannister retired in 2001.

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