Breaking Barriers: A Timeline of Men's and Women's Mile Records
Here's a look at some of the key moments in the record progression in men's and women's mile runs:
For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.
May 6, 1954: Medical student Roger Bannister becomes the first man to run a sub-4-minute mile during a track meet in Oxford, England, finishing in 3 minutes 59.4 seconds.
May 29, 1954: Diane Leather becomes the first woman to run the mile in under 5 minutes, finishing in 4:59.6 during the Midland Counties Championships in Birmingham, England.
June 3, 1967: Anne Smith of Britain sets two world records in one race: 4:17.3 for the 1,500 meters and 4:37.0 for the mile (1,609 meters).
June 23, 1967: US athlete Jim Ryun runs the mile in 3:51.1. His world record will hold for nearly eight years.
August 12, 1975: John Walker of New Zealand runs the mile in 3:49.4 at a race in Göteborg, Sweden, becoming the first athlete to finish the distance in under 3:50.
July 27, 1985: Steve Cram sets a new world record at 3:46.32. It was the last of three mile records at Bislett Stadium in Oslo by Cram and fellow Britons Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett during a span of six years.
August 14, 1996: Svetlana Masterkova of Russia sets a new women's record of 4:12.56. She will hold it for nearly 23 years.
July 7, 1999: Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco smashes the world record in the mile at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome with a time of 3:43.13. The record still stands.
July 21, 2023: Faith Kipyegon breaks the women's mile record at a Diamond League event in Monaco, clocking 4:07.64 in the Herculis Meeting at Stade Louis II to shatter the 4:12.33 set by long-time rival Sifan Hassan on the same track in 2019.
June 26, 2025: Kipyegon fails in her bid to become the first woman to run a mile in under four minutes. She clocks 4 minutes 06.42 seconds, surpassing her world record of 4:07.64. However, the time won't be officially recognized as the event was unofficial.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
Arsenal battle to beat Manchester Utd, world champions Chelsea held at home by Palace
LONDON: Arsenal's quest for Premier League glory got off to a winning start as Riccardo Calafiori's goal beat Manchester United 1-0 on Sunday, while world champions Chelsea were lucky to escape with a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport After finishing second for the past three seasons, the pressure is on Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to deliver the club's first league title since 2003/04. The Gunners were far from impressive at Old Trafford but earned a huge three points thanks to a glaring error from United's stand-in goalkeeper Altay Bayindir. The Turkish international flapped at Declan Rice's corner on 13 minutes, presenting Calafiori with the simple task of heading into an empty net. United gave debuts to all of their new £200 million ($271 million) attacking trident of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko but could not find a way past the Premier League's best defense for the past two seasons. Patrick Dorgu came closest to an equalizer when the Dane smashed against the post from long range. It was a tale of the two goalkeepers as Arsenal stopper David Raya also produced fine saves to deny Cunha and Mbeumo a perfect start to their United careers. Chelsea suffered a Club World Cup hangover as they were kept at bay by FA Cup winners Palace. The Eagles were denied an early opener when Eberechi Eze's free-kick was ruled out by a VAR review for Marc Guehi obstructing the Chelsea wall. New Chelsea signing Estevao came closest to snatching a winner for the home side, but the newly-crowned world champions were blunt in attack against a well-organized Palace defense. Palace's key duo of Guehi and Eze started despite mounting speculation the England internationals are set to join Liverpool and Tottenham, respectively. 'As long as they are 100 percent committed, they will play as they are so good,' said Palace boss Oliver Glasner. 'They didn't just show they are great footballers, but they are great persons and that's what I expected.' Chelsea's demolition of European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final last month had raised the Blues' hopes they can challenge for a first Premier League title since 2017. But Enzo Maresca bemoaned his side's lack of preparation time since beating PSG in New York just 35 days ago. 'They played about eight (pre-season) games, we played just two so we tried our best,' said the Italian. 'We expected a tough game. Apart from the first half free-kick, we didn't concede any chances.' Nottingham Forest made light of manager Nuno Espirito Santo's pre-season fears over a lack of signings with a dominant 3-1 win over a much-changed Brentford. Chris Wood struck twice either side of Dan Ndyoe's debut goal for Forest on a nightmare afternoon for new Brentford boss Keith Andrews. 'It was a very good first half. The combinations were really good, beautiful goals,' said Nuno. 'This is why we are insisting on a good balanced squad that gives us options and solutions.' The Bees have lost their manager, captain and top scorer in the off-season. Thomas Frank left to take charge of Tottenham, Mbeumo got his dream move to Manchester United and Arsenal secured Christian Norgaard. Yoane Wissa was also missing from the Brentford squad ahead of an expected move to Newcastle. Igor Thiago's first goal for the club from the penalty spot late on was the only consolation for the visitors. 'I do have genuine belief but we have to take responsibility for a first half that wasn't good enough,' said Andrews.
Arab News
21 hours ago
- Arab News
Newcastle held by 10-man Villa after Konsa sees red
BIRMINGHAM, England: Newcastle got a worrying glimpse of life without Alexander Isak as they were held to a 0-0 draw in their Premier League opener at Aston Villa despite Ezri Konsa's dismissal. Villa defender Konsa was sent off for a professional foul on Anthony Gordon midway through the second half on Saturday. But Newcastle were unable to take advantage in a toothless display that showed why they are so desperate to keep hold of Isak. The Sweden striker was not involved against Villa after reportedly telling the club he wants to leave to join Premier League champions Liverpool. Isak, 25, was the subject of a rejected £110 million ($149 million) bid from Liverpool earlier this month. 'I don't think we dominated, chance-wise, the way we wanted. We were maybe a little bit too anxious to score,' Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said. 'If you're not totally together in the Premier League, you're going to find it very difficult, but I think we answered a few questions today in terms of our spirit.' Isak, who helped Newcastle secure Champions League qualification and end their 56-year trophy drought last season, is reportedly refusing to train or play in an effort to force his way out of the club he joined from Real Sociedad in 2022. He did not take part in Newcastle's pre-season tour, training alone at his former club in Spain instead. Gordon led the line in Isak's absence as the England winger started out of position in the center of Newcastle's three-man attack. Anthony Elanga made his Newcastle debut after the winger's £55 million ($74 million) move from Nottingham Forest, while Malick Thiaw, a defender signed from AC Milan, was among the substitutes. Without Isak to power their attack, Newcastle were unable to make their territorial dominance count as Howe was left hoping for a swift resolution to the transfer saga, which could run until the window closes in September. 'From my perspective, you want a resolution quickly. It's taking away the focus of the players and the supporters,' Howe said. 'We want to be united together. We'd like a resolution, but we're not in control of that.' Villa boss Unai Emery could take heart from his team's backs-to-the-wall effort after Konsa's exit. Emery had admitted it was a 'challenging' transfer window after his club were constrained by Premier League profit and sustainability rules, leaving them with just two new signings. Marco Bizot, recruited from Brest, made his debut in goal in the absence of the suspended Emiliano Martinez, while Evann Guessand, a striker signed from another French club, Rennes, was on the bench. Elanga wasted a golden opportunity for a debut goal after sprinting through on goal for a shot that was repelled by Bizot. Gordon was equally profligate when he headed Harvey Barnes' cross over the bar from just six yards. Newcastle threatened again as Bruno Guimaraes headed a free-kick toward Barnes and he picked out Gordon, whose low strike from 20 yards was turned away by Bizot. Newcastle had eight shots in the first 30 minutes, while Villa mustered just two touches in the visitors' penalty area in the same period and failed to manage a single shot in the entire half. Villa finally tested Newcastle keeper Nick Pope through Boubacar Kamara's header immediately after the interval. But Emery's men were reduced to 10 men in the 66th minute after Elanga's superb pass sent Gordon bearing down on goal, provoking a despairing tug from Konsa that sent the England star crashing to the turf and earned the defender a red card. Newcastle pressed for the winner, but Barnes' goal-bound volley was blocked by Matty Cash and Bizot denied Gordon as Villa held on.
Arab News
a day ago
- Arab News
Spurs get Thomas Frank off to flier as Erling Haaland sparks revamped City in Wolves win
LONDON: Tottenham manager Thomas Frank enjoyed a 'dream' home debut with a 3-0 win over Burnley, while Erling Haaland inspired new-look Manchester City's 4-0 rout of Wolves on the opening weekend of the Premier League season on Saturday. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Frank was seconds away from launching his era in charge with a trophy until a late Paris Saint-Germain revival won the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday. The former Brentford boss replaced Ange Postecoglou despite the Australian ending Tottenham's 17-year trophy drought by lifting the Europa League last term. Postecoglou was undone by Tottenham's worst domestic season since 1976-77 as they finished just above the relegation zone in 17th place. Frank's bid to revive Tottenham's league fortunes got off to the perfect start in north London. Richarlison made the most of the faith shown in him by Frank as the Brazilian turned in Mohammed Kudus' cross to open the scoring. The pair combined again on the hour in more spectacular fashion as Richarlison's bicycle kick converted the Ghanaian's delivery. Brennan Johnson was Tottenham's Europa League final hero with the only goal against Manchester United and he began the new season by racing clear to slot in the third. 'Perfect start or dream start. A good performance against a difficult opponent. I will just enjoy it and I hope the players, the club and the fans enjoy it because that is important,' Frank said. At Molineux, Pep Guardiola unveiled his City revamp as he bids to bounce back from last season's third-place finish. City's failure to defend the title after winning it for the previous four seasons has prompted a major overhaul from Guardiola. Despite Haaland's double, it was new signing Tijjani Reijnders who stole the show with a hand in all of City's first three goals. 'We knew he is a top signing for the coming years for City,' said Guardiola on Reijnders outstanding Premier League debut after a £46.5 million move from AC Milan. 'Of course we have changed after last season with many injuries and problems — fresh energy this season.' Reijnders stroked in his first City goal in between two predatory finishes from Haaland. Another City new boy Rayan Cherki, lured from Lyon in the summer, rounded off the scoring. For the past two seasons, all three promoted teams have gone down. Sunderland made the perfect start to attempting to buck that trend with a 3-0 victory over West Ham. Former Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka is among pool of new signings attracted to the Stadium of Light. But it was three players key to their promotion back to the Premier League for the first time since 2017 who scored. Eliezer Mayenda's looping header gave the Black Cats lift off on the hour mark. Center-back Dan Ballard headed in the second before Wilson Isidor rounded off a huge win in stoppage time. Newcastle missed the wantaway Alexander Isak as they failed to find the breakthrough against 10-man Aston Villa in a 0-0 draw at Villa Park. The Magpies were the dominant side even before Ezri Konsa's red card for bringing down Antony Gordon 24 minutes from time. Isak had not been involved during Newcastle's pre-season as he appears determined to force through a move to Liverpool, who reportedly saw a £110 million ($149 million) offer for the Swedish striker rejected. The two clubs face off in their next league match at St. James' Park on August 25. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said he wants an end to the saga one way or another. 'From my perspective, you want a resolution quickly. It's taking away the focus of the players and the supporters,' said Howe 'We want to be united together. We'd like a resolution, but we're not in control of that.' Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz struck in the 96th minute to salvage a 1-1 draw at Brighton after Matt O'Riley's penalty put the Seagulls in front. Arsenal, top-flight runners-up for the last three seasons, are in action on Sunday when they travel to Manchester United. Champions Liverpool began their title defense with a 4-2 win against Bournemouth on Friday.
