First 4 minute 1600

[larwood]

Who was the first to run 1600 meters in 4:00 or faster?

[Guest]

Re: First 4 minute 1600

well that was easy - Roger Bannister - on his way to his mile. The record-holder before him was close to a 4:00 1600, but cannot be proven.

[Jon]

Re: First 4 minute 1600

Whilst on the subject of sub-4-min miles, interesting article in Athletics Weekly this week...

http://www.athletics-weekly.com/5747wood.htm

[larwood]

Re: First 4 minute 1600

Not really. Since Gunder Hagg ran 3:45.4 on the way to his 4:01.4. That is 16.0 for the last 109.4 meters, which comes out 14.6 for the 100 meters up to 1600, which is 4:00 for 1600 meters.

So there.

[Guest]

Re: First 4 minute 1600

So what's your point - that he did or didn't? Your conjecture that he did, is just that: conjecture. Your denial that he did, is equally unsubstantiated.

[Guest]

Re: First 4 minute 1600

Jon--Interesting AW article: re the guy claiming to have run 3:59 in training in April 1954. Funny he never seems to have thought it important enough to report till now (?), and I don't believe he came too close to 4 minutes in legitimate competition. Thus: almost certainly nonsense.

Some news re: the Bannister anniversary. When in London last week I was told that there will NOT be a public banquet like there was in '94 (which was truly memorable). A shame, really, as it would have given one more chance to get all the living mile WR holders together again (none have died since '94!).

[Jon]

Re: First 4 minute 1600

>Jon--Interesting AW article: re the guy claiming
>to have run 3:59 in training in April 1954.
>Funny he never seems to have thought it
>important enough to report till now (?), and I
>don't believe he came too close to 4 minutes in
>legitimate competition. Thus: almost certainly
>nonsense.


Au contraire. Ken Wood ran a 3:59.3 mile in 1957 which, at the time, was a great time for the mile and he was ranked 9th in the world for the mile in that year.

[Per Andersen]

Re: First 4 minute 1600

> Ken Wood ran a 3.59.3 mile in 1957.
Yes, but 1957 is a long way from 1954. Ken Wood was good in '56-57 but not in '54. Anyway he was never in Bannister's class. It sounds a bit like Pete Best and the Beatles.