Latest news with #OxfordUniversityCrossCountryClub
BBC News
29-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Olympian Chris Thompson to start Oxford Bannister Community Mile
An Olympian and European silver medallist in the 10,000m will start a community race to celebrate the first four-minute mile next Bannister Community Mile was first held in Oxford in 2024 to mark 70 years since Sir Roger Bannister ran the distance in three minutes and 59.4 seconds at the city's Iffley Road track on 6 May Thompson, who represented Team GB at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, will start the race on 5 May and will run the distance with his four-year-old son, event is organised by Oxford University and the Oxford University Cross Country Club and will be an annual event. "I feel very honoured to be the official starter of this year's Bannister Community Mile, and having Theo involved as well will make it extra special," Thompson said."Though my career took off when I went for the longer distances, a mile is just right everyone in the community - from kids to grandparents - to feel the thrill of running at any pace and taste the grit of competition."The centre of Oxford - what an amazing place to run a road mile."Thompson added: "I have very fond memories of Roger Bannister and always admired his encouragement to everyone he met to take up some kind of sport, whether it be athletics, badminton or canoeing." Sir Roger, who died in the city in 2018, completed his record-breaking run in front of a crowd of 3, later won a Commonwealth and a European Championship gold medal, before becoming a distinguished neurologist. He was the master of the city's Pembroke College between 1985 and 1993. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
18-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Four-minute mile event to return as annual Oxford fixture
A community race to celebrate the first four-minute mile will become an annual event, its organisers have Bannister Community Mile was first held last year to mark 70 years since Sir Roger Bannister ran the distance in three minutes and 59.4 than 1,500 runners of all ages and abilities completed their own miles along Oxford's central streets in May 2024, with Olympian Ossama Meslek setting an Iffley Road track the University of Oxford and Oxford University Cross Country Club have said the event will be repeated each year. The 2025 run will be held on 5 May, setting off from St Aldate's and heading down Oxford's High Street to Iffley Road. Thousands are expected to the afternoon, a series of track races will feature runners of all ages and Waite, cross county club men's captain, said: "We cannot wait to welcome some of the UK's top athletes back to Iffley Road."With the new track surface and a growing legacy, anticipation is high for another thrilling year of racing, where athletes may once again push the limits of human endurance." Sir Roger, who died in 2018, completed his record-breaking run on 6 May 1954 in front of a crowd of 3, described it as "the moment of a lifetime".The medical student would later win a Commonwealth and a European Championship gold medal, before becoming a distinguished son Thurstan Bannister said the community mile was "fulfilling for everyone – from the eight-year old trying it out with her mum, to the near-pro aiming to quality for international events"."Seeing [it] providing these opportunities and expanding year on year makes my heart sing," he added. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Run celebrating Sir Roger Bannister to become annual event
An event held for the first time last year to celebrate Sir Roger Bannister's record-breaking four-minute mile in Oxford will become an annual fixture in the city. Following the success of Bannister Miles 2024, which welcomed more than 2,000 participants, the University of Oxford and Oxford University Cross Country Club (OUCCC) has announced it will return for 2025. Last year's event saw Ossama Meslek set an Iffley Road track record of 3.56.15. Ossama Meslek set an Iffley Road track record of 3.56.15 last year (Image: Will Palmer/Bannister Miles) Ossama Meslek (Image: Will Palmer/Bannister Miles) The decision to make it an annual event is part of a wider project to expand Bannister Miles in the run-up to the 75th anniversary of Sir Roger's historic achievement in 2029. Samuel Waite, men's captain of Oxford University Cross Country Club, said: "We cannot wait to welcome some of the UK's top athletes back to Iffley Road. "Adding to the excitement, last year's event saw the Iffley Road track record broken, proving that this historic venue still inspires remarkable performances. Bannister Miles 2024 (Image: Bannister Miles) "With the new track surface and a growing legacy, anticipation is high for another thrilling year of racing, where athletes may once again push the limits of human endurance.' The Bannister Community Mile and Bannister Track Races are scheduled for Monday, May 5, and will follow a similar format to last year. The Community Mile, open to all ages and abilities, will begin at 9am, with waves of runners departing from St Aldate's. Bannister Miles 2024 (Image: Bannister Miles) Participants will progress down Oxford's High Street, before finishing at Iffley Road. Finishers will receive their medals at the Sir Roger Bannister Track. The Community Mile welcomes thousands from Oxford and beyond to celebrate community, sport, and physical activity. Children under six can enter for free and it is also open to all ages and abilities. In the afternoon, athletes from across the country will compete in a series of track races organised by OUCCC and the British Milers' Club on the newly resurfaced world athletics certified track. Bannister Miles 2024 (Image: Will Palmer/Bannister Miles) The races will include heats for athletes aged nine and older, including para-athletes and high-level amateur runners. The event will end with elite men's and women's mile races, and the mile steeplechase, which made its global debut in Oxford last year, will also return. Spectators are welcome at Iffley Road Track throughout the day. There will be food and drink vendors and fitness groups present. Bannister Miles 2024 (Image: Will Palmer/Bannister Miles) Thurstan Bannister, Sir Roger's son, said: "The events are going from strength to strength. "The mile distance, whether on the high or round the track is fulfilling for everyone – from the eight-year-old trying it out with her mum, to the near-pro aiming to qualify for international events. "Seeing the Bannister Miles providing these opportunities and expanding year on year makes my heart sing."
