1500m Classic – Celebration Mile

The UQ Athletics Club is pleased to announce that it is hosting the annual UQ Athletics Club 1500m Classic – Celebration Mile on Wednesday 13 November 2024.

All races on the program (race walking, school aged, masters and open) will be one mile (1609 m) in distance, in place of the usual 1500m, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the running of the first sub 4 minute mile by Roger Bannister in 1954.

There will be a minimum prize pool of $3200 across the two elite races, and vouchers and product prizes to all other divisions. A $500 bonus is on offer for a race record in either of the elite races.

In addition, the Men and Women’s elite races will also be contesting the Queensland Athletics One Mile Championships. Medals will be awarded to the top three place getters in these races.

Entry Guidelines:

  • Cost to enter is $27
  • Entries close at 9.00 am on November 10
  • Athletes must be registered with Queensland Athletics or another State Athletics Association. Queensland athletes who are not a member of a club,may register with Queensland Athletics as a Base Member by visiting https://qldathletics.org.au/index.cfm/join/
  • 1500m times will be requested for seeding purposes, as many athletes will not have a performance time for the one mile. Please note the event on the night of the meet will be the one-mile event only.
  • The draft timetable of races is available on the Queensland Athletics website.
  • Races will be seeded after the entry closure and a final timetable of races, based on the number of entries, will be generated.
  • Race start lists and final programme will be posted on the Queensland Athletics website – https://www.qldathletics.org.au/index.cfm/competition/ – and emailed to all the athletes who have entered, on 11 November.
  • For any issues or problems in relation to registering contact the UQ Athletics Club on 0422 794 462.

Race Records

Open Race Records

Male – Lachlan Chisholm – 3.56.27
Female – Lisa Corrigan – 4.30.16

Secondary Schools Records

Male – Brodie Modini – 4.17.44
Female – Olivia Burdon – 4.43.31

Primary Schools Records

Male – Roger David – 5.40.23
Female – J. Simpson – 5.42.70

Masters Records

Male – Charles Worringham – 5.14.73
Female – Sophie Cockcroft – 6.07.39


“THE RECORD THAT CHANGED ATHLETICS”

[Taken from The Guardian, April 26, 2004 and Athletics Weekly, 1994]

The match Oxford University vs AAA at the Iffley Road cinder track was chosen, after meticulous planning, as the meet at which Roger Bannister would attempt to break the four minute mile.

Bannister’s day began as usual in his research lab at St. Mary’s hospital, but rather than carrying out experiments or life saving surgery, he spent time sharpening his spikes. At 11:00 am he travelled from Paddington to Oxford by train, settling into his seat in 2 nd class. He had lunch with his two friends Charles and Eileen Wenden and their children in Oxford.

  • He was tormented by the looming race, but he was soothed by the sight of Eileen
    serenely preparing lunch for her two girls.
  • Standing in her kitchen he suddenly felt “as if anything was possible.”
  • He wandered the city in the afternoon to clear his mind before meeting up with his team
    mates shortly before 5:00 pm.

On arriving at the track, prior to the race, he looked at the flapping of the St. George’s flag on top of the church nearby and worried himself half to death about whether the wind would ruin everything. Eventually the decision was made to go for the record despite the gusting wind, which meant he may have to run the equivalent of a 3 minute 56 seconds on a fine day. Fortunately, the wind calmed 15 minutes before the race.

Chris Chataway and William Hulett joined Bannister in representing the AAA in event nine on the program – the one mile. Representing Oxford were G.F. Dole, T.N. Miller and A.D. Gordon. When Chris Brasher was added to the field, word was out that a record attempt was on.

The race began with a false start, hinting at the urgency among the competitors. For three quarters of a mile Bannister ran with effortless power. His desire to increase the pace was curbed by Brasher and Chataway. The plan was to go through the first lap in 58 seconds; they went through in 57.4. Brasher still set the pace at 880 yards in 1.58.2, just off the planned 1.59. Brashers pace making work was complete halfway down the back straight on the third lap, when Chataway took over and reached the bell in 3.00.5 – seven yards down on the 2.59 target. A 59 second last lap would still make history. Even though he was down on the pace Bannister faithfully followed Chataway until 250 yards to go “within striking distance of the line with his finishing burst.” With arms pumping and mouth open, and then it was over. Bannister later wrote “pain overtook me. I felt like an exploded flashlight with no will to live.”

When Noel McWirter announced the official time as 3.59.4, the 1200 spectators in the stadium erupted in joy. Roger Bannister at last had run the mile in less than four minutes, a feat long thought to have been beyond the capability of even the most highly trained human body.