The world’s biggest mile is set to mark the 60th anniversary of Roger Bannister’s four minute mile and Diane Leather’s five minute mile, with media students from City of Westminster College being invited along to film the historic event.
Sir Roger Bannister and Diane Charles (formerly Diane Leather) have both given their names for the trophies for the Senior Men’s and Senior Women’s Championships. Other recognisable names include David Weir, the six time Paralympic champion, who will compete in the Senior Wheelchair Championships as he aims to become the first athlete to achieve a sub-three-minute mile.
Paddington Recreation Ground is where Sir Roger trained before running the first sub-four-minute mile on the Iffley Road track in Oxford, and thus Westminster is a fitting setting for the anniversary. The Westminster mile will start on The Mall and take a scenic route with sights including Horse Guards Parade, Wellington Barracks and will end outside Buckingham Palace.
“The students are involved in this event as we’ve made videos for Active Westminster before. We have built up a good relationship with them and so they asked if some of our media students would film along the route,” said James Hodges, Lecturer for Media, Sound and Performing Arts. “A small group of students were able to attend the press announcement where they were placed alongside accredited press from the BBC, Sky News and were the only students there to be given press accreditation. It gave them a fantastic opportunity to attend a press conference and then follow up with interviews. They spoke to David Weir about the event as he is going to try and create the record for a 3 minute mile. It is a fantastic opportunity for our students as they will be placed along the route in various locations and will have the opportunity to film the world’s biggest mile and potentially a world record for the fastest mile.”
The event is set to take place on Saturday 24th May, and the closing date for entries is 6th May 2014, the 60th anniversary of Bannister’s run, or whenever the number of entries reaches 5,500.
The Bupa Westminster Mile
The Bupa Westminster Mile will have 30 races taking place throughout the day including races for Families, Adults, Juniors, Wheelchair Users and Elite Athletes. The entry fee is £8.00 for those aged 18 and over and £6.00 for nine to 17 year olds. Concessions are available to Westminster residents and children under the age of nine can enter for free. It is organised by the London Marathon in partnership with Westminster City Council. To enter the Westminster Mile please visit: www.BupaWestminsterMile.co.uk