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The mile event has an historic place in Vancouver’s past.
A bronze statue remains near Hasting Street and Boundary Road marking the site of the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games where the meeting of the Sir Roger Bannister and John Landy, Governor of Victoria, Australia over one mile was held.
The Commonwealth Sport Federation wrote “The build-up to the mile at the 1954 British Empire Games in Vancouver was more like a heavyweight world title fight than a running race.
Earlier in the year, England's Roger Bannister had become the first runner to break the four-minute mile, a performance that had captured the imagination of the world.
Bannister had run his incredible time at Oxford in May but the following month Australia's John Landy had smashed the world record when he ran 3:57.9 at a race in Turku in Finland.
So, the anticipation for the race between the two was huge. The press variously called it "The Mile of the Century" or "The Miracle Mile".
Roger Bannister wrote later in this autobiography The First Four Minutes, "I quickened my stride, trying at the same time to keep relaxed," he wrote in The First Four Minutes.
Landy maintained his pace, running the third lap in 60.2sec, but Bannister clocked 59.3 and was gaining ground. Landy reached the bell in 2:58.4, with Bannister 0.6 behind. Landy accelerated again, though, and the gap began to stretch again. "As we entered the last bend, I tried to convince myself that he was tiring."
Near the end, Landy had a look to see if he had done enough to hold off Bannister. Off the last bend, he glanced inside to look behind - at the same moment that Bannister came past on the outside. "I saw him glance inwards over his opposite shoulder," Bannister wrote in The First Four Minutes. "This tiny act of his held great significance and gave me confidence."
Landy's resistance was broken and Bannister crossed the line to win in 3:58.8. Landy was 0.8 seconds behind him. It was the first time two runners had broken four minutes for the mile in the same race. Bannister was exhausted and after crossing the line collapsed into the arms of officials.
To commemorate this Miracle Mile, the 2022 Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome Track Classic will hold a metric mile, the 1500m event in an attempt to break the meet record of 3:35.59 held by 1988 Olympic Champion, Peter Rono of Kenya.
Every runner on this preliminary list of competitors has personal bests faster than the Miracle Mile winners.
The 2022 list includes an extremely strong international field, many with current marks below the current meet record held by Olympic champion, Peter Rono of Kenya This start list is preliminary and subject to change.
Edward Cheserek, Kenya with personal best of 3:33.76 season best 13:12.43. Graduate of University of Oregon with 5 NCAA champion titles.
William Paulson, Canada with personal and seasonal best of 3:33.97 has a bronze medal from the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima Peru. Graduate of Arizona State University.
Charles Philibert-Thiboutot, Canada with personal best of 3:34.23 and seasonal best of 13:12.76. University of Laval graduate won bronze medals at 2015 Pan American Games and the 2018 NACAC championships in Toronto
John Gregorek, USA with personal best of 3:34.49 and seasonal best of 3:39.85 University of Oregon graduate won the silver medal at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima Peru.
Sam Prakel, USA with personal best of 3:36.54 and seasonal 3:38.40. University of Oregon graduate now coaching at the University of Washington
Kieran Lumb, Canada with personal best of 3:38.21 and seasonal best of 3:42.90 . UBC graduate now in Master’s program at University of Washington in Seattle
Cameron Proceviat, Canada with personal best of 3:36.80 and seasonal best 3:52.54 indoor mile. SFU graduate now in medical school at UBC
Aaron Ahl Canada, with personal best of 3:38.74 and seasonal best of 3:39.97 . Simon Fraser undergraduate who is highly ranked in NCAA II
Brian Fay, Ireland with personal and seasonal best of 3 3:40.43. University of Washington student who is the Irish champion over the 3000m steeplechase .
Gary Kingston, the Jerome media co-ordinator reported, “The Jerome, Canada’s longest running track and field event, will feature a full field of athletes and fans in the stands this year. The 2020 Jerome was canceled outright because of the Covid pandemic and the 2021 event was limited to just 71 athletes and no spectators inside the stadium. But that meet was still a resounding success with one Canadian record set, one Olympic standard reached, four meet records and 27 personal bests”
World Athletics, the international governing body lead by Olympic Champion, Seb Coe, has classified the Jerome as a World Athletics Continental Tour, Bronze Level. This designation of the Jerome Classic will provide the athletes with the opportunity to collect World Ranking points.
Tickets to the meet are now available online at www.harryjerome.com
For more information contact
Nigel Hole, meet director
778-891-9350
Marek Jedrzejek, president Achilles Track and Field Society
Gary Kingston, media co-ordinator
604-329-2104
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