THE MIRACLE MILE

Prior to 1954 it was widely believed to be impossible for a human to run a sub-four-minute mile. The first person in history to do so was an English medical student, Roger Bannister, who in May of 1954 ran the mile in 3:59.4, a new world record. A few weeks later an Australian, John Landy, running at an event in Finland, also broke the four-minute barrier at 3:57.9, again a new world record. These two had never competed against each other but would do so at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games held in Vancouver, British Columbia, in August of 1954. History was about to be made and I was there to see it!

August 7, 1954, was the big day when the two runners met. I cannot remember how or why I got to be at Empire Stadium that day. I think I was with a group of my friends from church (Lorne, Rick, Doug). I remember the day was not all that warm and we didn’t have seats; we were in the standing area but just to be there was incredible and the energy and enthusiasm of the packed stadium was contagious.

During the race Landy was leading as they came into the final turn. It appeared that both runners would be under four minutes—and that alone would be historic. As they turned the corner and started down the last stretch toward the finish line, Landy made a mistake. He knew Bannister was closing in on him and he quickly glanced over his left shoulder to see where he was. The moment Landy glanced back, his concentration was broken for just a moment and Bannister shot by him on his right shoulder, took the lead, and won the race in 3:58.9; however, Landy also finished under 4 minutes at 3:59.7. The race became known as “Vancouver’s Miracle Mile.”

The race was immortalized by a full-size bronze sculpture of the crucial moment when Landy looked over his left shoulder and was passed by Bannister. The sculpture stood for many years at the main entrance to Empire Stadium in Vancouver and now is in front of the entrance to the Pacific National Exhibition Fairgrounds. John Landy later quipped, “While Lot’s wife was turned into a pillar of salt for looking back, I am probably the only one turned into bronze for looking back.”

The atmosphere in the stadium the day of the race was electric! The great crowd urged the runners on and encouraged them to stretch out and go for it. It was a great day and I was there—fifty-six years ago!

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV).

I believe the crowd of witnesses that we read about in Hebrews 12:1 are those written about in the great Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11. These great warriors of faith pack the stands around our life and are there not to judge or critique but to encourage us. They are clapping, shouting, whistling and wanting to lend their energy to our race of faith. We are to draw on their encouragement and allow their faith to flow over into our life, into our journey. Maybe it’s time for you to read Hebrews 11 every day for a week or a month to let the cloud of witnesses become a greater part of your life.

Let nothing come between you and the finish line…let nothing hinder your completing your race. Whatever hinders you, throw it off; simplify your life and walk. By all means keep your eyes fixed on the finish line, on the author and finisher of our faith, Jesus Christ. Don’t do a John Landy and start looking over your shoulder to see who or what is gaining on you…it simply doesn’t matter. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus!

If anyone is interested, here is a link to a film of the race as it was recorded by the Canadian Broadcasting Company. If you watch carefully as Landy and Bannister come out of the final turn, you will see Landy’s mistake.

http://archives.cbc.ca/sports/athletics/clips/7607/

(If you look really hard you might find me in the crowd…I’ll be the tall, good-looking guy...oh, wait, I was only ten…I’ll be the pudgy, good-looking kid.)

August 7th has been a pretty good day for me. On August 7, 1954, I got to see Bannister and Landy in a historic “miracle mile” and eleven years later, on August 7, 1965, Carol and I were married…a pretty good day, for sure!