Bannister and Beyond

The great milers speak!


On the subject of the mile—why it is the most intense, most fascinating and most popular race. We hear the history of the event from the inside—including John Landy and Derek Ibbotson’s recollections of the years leading up to Bannister’s great moment, and the flood of extraordinary miles that followed. Don Bowden’s story of the first U.S. sub-four; Herb Elliot on training with Percy Cerruty at the legendary Portsea camp; Peter Snell on training with Arthur Lydiard and his Olympic conquest; Jim Ryun’s story of his rise to greatness; Pekka Vasala on his Olympic win; John Walker on being the first sub-3:50; Eammon Coghlan, Sebastian Coe, Steve Scott, and Steve Cram on the wild, record-destroying years of the 80s; and contemporary greats Noah Ngeny and William Tanui discussing the jaw-dropping mile records set in the 90s.

     All of them discuss the mile—its poetry, its magic, its rhythms, the tactics for running it, the methods of training for it, and above all, what it means to run sub-4.

    Bannister and Beyond also includes interviews with some contemporary runners who made it under four only once, or just a few times—to get the perspective on what achieving sub-4 means today, when going sub-4 doesn’t immediately elevate a runner into the world-class elites.


This is an important piece of track history, and a book to inspire all runners.


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PRAISE FOR "BANNISTER AND BEYOND"


“Jim Denison’s sweep of miling history appropriately honors the 50th anniversary of Roger Bannister’s feat and will inspire the next generation of young milers.”

—Craig Masback, 3:52 miler and CEO of USA Track and Field


“This is a strong book of strong men uttering strong sentiments about their passion—the four-minute mile. Yet they pour out all their doubts and insecurities with hopeless candor. This is an essential addition to the story not only of the mile, but of all self-mastery.”

—Kenny Moore, American marathoning star and former Sports Illustrated writer


“Those who followed Bannister and broke his and each other’s records form a group of fascinating men from around the world whose stories are as rich and unexpected as sport itself. . . . Those who take the time to read Jim Denison’s well-written book will be well rewarded with information and entertainment in equal measure.

—Professor Peter Radford, Olympic bronze medalist 100m, 1960;

former world-record holder 200m; past president of British Athletics


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A few brief excerpts:


"People wondered whether it was the limit of human capability—could anyone possibly run a mile that fast?" 

—John Landy


"Everything came together for me that night: The track was perfect, the air was clear and fresh, I found my rhythm." 

—Don Bowden


"Running is everything that we are. Our mental, spiritual, and physical sides all united."

—Herb Elliott


"Running well entails a degree of desensitization, and going through a process whereby you accept the pain that's necessary to run fast." 

—Jim Ryun


"The feeling that you can run forever like an animal is very special. It gives you freedom, that: to be light, fast, and strong." 

—Pekka Vasala


"The mile is the hardest to race because you have to be alert and conscious of ever-changing tactics. It's a true thinking man's race. In that regard, it calls for the complete runner. And add to that its mythical nature. It's simple and pure; almost magical." 

—John Walker



"I had this 60-second rhythm in my head: 60, 60, 60. It was like a metronome; it became as natural a sound to me as my own breathing or my voice." 

—Eamonn Coghlan


"Guys like Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard actually enjoyed the physical process of slugging it out toe-to-toe. It was something they regarded as a great challenge. And my feeling about racing was very similar. I relished the contest as an end in itself." 

—Sebastian Coe