Sir Roger Bannister RIP

Sir Roger Bannister, famous as the first man to run a mile in less than four minutes, has died at the age of 88.

He had been suffering from Parkinson's disease since 2011.

The record time in Oxford established him as one of the great names of British athletics.

In an age of the gentleman amateur, Bannister saw his running as something to be done in his spare time.

Roger Gilbert Bannister was born on 23 March 1929 in Harrow, Middlesex.

After leaving University College School in London, he went to Oxford to read medicine before going on to St Mary's Medical College.

Bannister used his medical knowledge to devise his own training regime and investigate the mechanical aspects of running.

He took part in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. He completed a mile in three minutes 59.4 seconds in a race in Oxford in 1954, which is what made him famous. 

However, in his own estimation Sir Roger's achievements on the track paled into insignificance compared with achieving his main ambition in lift when he qualified as a doctor.

"You don't have to make the rest of your life boring to be a good runner," he said.

Within 10 years, he was established in his profession as a consultant physician, going on to become a leading neurologist, and later the Master of Pembroke College, Oxford. He was knighted in 1975.

A statement from his family said:

"Sir Roger Bannister, died peacefully in Oxford on 3 March, aged 88, surrounded by his family who were as loved by him, as he was loved by them.

"He banked his treasure in the hearts of his friends."

Rest in Peace.