Roger Bannister's magnificent mile achievement stood unbroken after a concerted Colchester challenge.
The four-minute barrier held firm in the latest attempt to go under the magical mark in the Jobserve Invitation Mile at the Colchester and Tendring AC 20th Annual Open meeting on August Bank Holiday Monday.
A class field, put together by the British Milers' Club, worked hard behind pace maker Sam Coombs of Dartford AC, but in windy conditions the elusive sub-four minute mile proved beyond even the likes of GB and Wales international James Thie.
In the end there was just 3.4 seconds in it as Australian international Mark Tucker stopped the clock at 4m 03.4, taking a massive 17 seconds off the stadium record of 4m20.3 set in 1966.
With ten meeting records smashed it was a tough choice for the judges but Tucker's mile time brought won him a unanimous verdict and the beautiful solid silver Norman Stang Trophy for performance of the day, along with a cheque for £200, a commemorative book and the gold medal.
Published Wednesday, September 1, 2004
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