The Book of Panthers!
The Alumni Experience
What It Takes: Academy of Achievement
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What It Takes: Academy of Achievement

29. Sir Roger Banister: The Mile of the Century

August 1, 2016

Alice Winkler: Host of What It Takes

When Englishman Roger Bannister was studying medicine at Oxford in the 1940's, he began to have great success as a member of the track team. He knew enough about physiology to question a long-held belief: that humans were simply not built to run a mile in less than four minutes. He was determined to shatter that myth, and he did. In this episode, Bannister describes how he developed his own unique approach to training, one that allowed him to very gradually improve speed, while leaving time for his studies in neuroscience. After eight years, he was ready. At a meet held in May of 1954, he stunned the world, running a mile in 3:59.4. It is considered one of the greatest athletic achievements of all time, alongside Sir Edmund Hillary's ascent of Mt. Everest.

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The Book of Panthers!
The Alumni Experience
Coach Van Winkle sits down with former Cross Country Runners to talk about there High School CC Experience.
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