Which races would make your finalist list? Roger Bannister breaking the 4 minute barrier? The 1981 Golden Mile when Seb Coe broke the world record, running 3:47 and dragging 6 people under 3:53? The Dream Mile in 1971 between Marty Liquori and Jim Ryun? Extraordinary high school miles such as Ryun beating Peter Snell or Alan Webb’s Pre Classic 3:53?
These and many more are freaking awesome, but a race 64 years ago in 1958 might be the most deserving of this “greatest ever” title.
The pre-race hype was huge. A mile race was scheduled for August 6th, 1958 in a brand new stadium in Dublin, Ireland that had a track that was touted to be “the fastest (cinder) track in the world”. So many spectators showed up for the event that many needed to abandon their cars on the entrance road and walk in. The stadium was filled beyond capacity with at least 22,000 fans.
Some in the crowd may have been anticipating an exhibition win for local hero and 1956 Olympic Champion Ron Delany but the most knowledgeable fans knew that a very strong field had been assembled, including 20 year old Australian star Herb Elliott.
In a word, the race was epic. The pace was swift from the start. The half mile was reached in 1:58 and the clock was at 2:58 at the bell. Herb Elliott had plenty of run left in his legs. He smoothly moved into the lead and started pulling away. Herb spoiled the Delaney party by winning, but gave the fans a treat by breaking the world record by a whopping 2.7-seconds! Astonishingly, just 4 years after Bannister’s breakthrough, five men ran under 3:59 and the top two broke the world record of 3:57.2. Elliott ran 3:54.5 and another Australian, Merv Lincoln, ran 3:55.9. Ron Delany did all he could, running his lifetime best of 3:57.5, just .3 off the previous world record. He edged New Zealand’s Murray Halberg for 3rd who also ran 3:57.5. Aussie Albert Thomas was the 5th person under 4 minutes that day running 3:58.6.
Herb went on to crush the field in the 1960 Olympic 1500m in a world record 1500m time of 3:35.6, broke 4 minutes 17 times, never lost a mile race in his career AND chose to retire from athletics at age 22! Damn.
This video starts with race footage followed by a fascinating interview with Herb Elliott:
Below is a great 5 minute interview with Dan Carbery who was in the race.
