The 4-minute mile was long regarded as unattainable, and as detailed in the book "The Perfect Mile", it became the focus of the top runners of the early 1950s. The book goes into great detail on the drive to be the first to make running history, which was finally accomplished on May 6, 1954 when Roger Bannister became the first to crack the 4-minute barrier, beating John Landy and Wes Santee to the mark. Since that day runners across the globe have committed themselves to joining that group, and even those who reach the mark find it hard to replicate as close to 50% of Sub-4 milers are unable to improve upon their time once they reach the mark.
Syracuse Track & Field: Sub-4 Mile Isn't the Ultimate Goal Anymore
