A Historic Race: The Miracle Mile
Amongst the many unforgettable moments in athletics history, the ‘Miracle Mile’ at the 1954 Commonwealth Games in Vancouver, Canada, is one that has become a defining moment in the sport's history. 

England’s Roger Bannister and John Landy of Australia—at that time, the only two men in the world to have broken the four-minute barrier—faced off in a stunning display of athleticism. This race, coming just months after Bannister became the first man in history to run a sub-four-minute mile, captured the imagination of fans worldwide and is often regarded as one of the most thrilling and iconic events in Commonwealth sporting history.

The Miracle Mile cemented its place in folklore not just for the dramatic rivalry but also for what it represented—the absolute peak of middle-distance running. Today, the magic of that moment still resonates, as the Mile remains an event that showcases the very best of human endurance and spirit.

2:48

The Mile’s Modern Resurgence
Despite its roots in athletics history, the Mile is far from a relic of the past. It continues to be a popular and respected event and has seen a resurgence in recent years, with athletes across the globe competing in high-profile mile races. Notably, the World Athletics Road Mile Championships, which debuted in 2023, marked an exciting new chapter for this iconic race.

As the only non-metric event officially recognised by World Athletics for world records and rankings, the Mile remains a distance that athletes around the world still vie for one of the sport’s most historic achievements—the sub-four-minute mile.

But the beauty of the Mile is that it’s a comparable distance for runners, joggers and sports fans across the world. Much the same as “how fast can you run 100m” the Mile is an every day metric that millions of people track themselves against every day. Its inclusion in major competitions, such as Glasgow 2026, brings the sports fan one step closer to their heroes.

So why the change?
The reintroduction of a discipline referred to as the ‘Commonwealth Mile’ into the Games programme was the brainchild of World Athletics President Sebastian Coe. Agreed for Victoria 2026 before the event’s cancellation, World Athletics and the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) have included the race in the programme for Glasgow 2026.

Talking about the innovative idea, President Coe said, “The One Mile is the quintessential Commonwealth athletics event whose return to the Games in Glasgow 2026 I very much welcome. The Mile is easy to understand; it is four laps of the track and remains a standard everyday measurement across the Commonwealth.

“From 1930 through to 1966, the Mile was the blue riband event of each Games. The event’s place in international sports lore was secured when Sir Roger Bannister broke the four minutes barrier in May 1954. Ever since, the world has enjoyed The Miracle Mile, The Golden Mile, The Dream Mile … and countless other similarly dubbed races over the distance.

“The magic of the Mile continues to resonate with sports fans. A ticket to watch its Commonwealth final will be one of the must-have seats in Glasgow next year.”

Athletes from the Commonwealth nations have consistently showcased their prowess in the Mile. Notable performers include Scotland’s Josh Kerr and Laura Muir, Australia’s Cameron Myers and Jess Hull, and Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon, who holds the Mile world record.

Kerr, the current British national Mile record holder, set an impressive time of 3:45.34 at the 2024 Diamond League in Eugene, Oregon, breaking the long-standing record of Steve Cram (3:46.32) set in 1985.

Laura Muir, another British standout, also made history in 2023 by breaking the South African Zola Budd’s 1985 Mile record with a time of 4:15.24 at the Diamond League meet in Monaco.

Faith Kipyegon, a name synonymous with distance running excellence, etched her name in history by setting the Mile world record of 4:07.64 on July 21, 2023, also in Monaco.

The performances of these athletes highlight the Mile’s continued relevance in modern athletics, with records being broken and new stars rising to take their place in the Mile's storied tradition.

While the Mile’s legacy is rich in history, it continues to be held in high esteem by athletes and fans alike, especially across the Commonwealth. John Walker, the 1976 Olympic 1500m champion and former Mile world record holder from New Zealand, has often spoken of the Mile’s importance to the sport. Walker recently explained its importance to World Athletics, “The Mile is the biggest event in running. It is revered in New Zealand as we have had Jack Lovelock, Peter Snell, and myself. So, when I ran the world record, the first below 3:50, it made huge headlines.”

Steve Cram, former Mile world record holder and coach to Laura Muir, reflected on the simplicity and appeal of the event to World Athletics: “The Mile is easy to understand. It is four laps, and it takes four minutes, or it did until Roger Bannister broke that barrier. The impact of what Roger did had a resonance, and it was that iconic moment that has allowed the Mile to live, breathe and stay relevant.”

The Mile’s Role in the Future of the Commonwealth Games
With Glasgow 2026 a bridge to the future for a Commonwealth Games that is economically sustainable but also innovative in its thinking, the reintroduction of the Commonwealth Mile seems poised to play a key role in this fresh direction. 

Glasgow 2026, with its smaller footprint across the city, will be a cauldron of sport – drama, joy and world-class sporting action but in more accessible and intimate atmosphere. And the Commonwealth Mile is one standout event that is set to be one of the hottest tickets in town.

As the sport evolves and the next generation of athletes rise to challenge its limits, one thing remains certain: the Mile will always hold a special place in the hearts of fans and athletes alike. Whether on the track or the road, the Mile is more than just a race—it’s a symbol of speed, endurance, and the timeless pursuit of greatness.