3:59.4 : The Quest to Break the 4 Minute Mile Book

As Hillary and Tenzing became the first men to climb Everest, three Englishmen triumphed over human limitation to change sporting history forever.

The years 1953-54 were marked by the conquests of two unattainable peaks -- Mount Everest and the Four Minute Mile. This is the story of the long quest for the "Magic Mile" -- almost two hundred years in the making.

The dream of setting a new track record for this distance started in the 1880s, by the American Lon Myers, who was sick before and after every race, yet still held every U.S. record from 50 yards to the mile. By 1902, a record of 4 minutes and 16 seconds was set by the Englishman Joe Binks. And again in 1923, it was broken, thanks to Paavo Nurmi, who won nine Olympic gold medals.

Finally in 1945, when the Swede Gunder Haegg ran the mile in 4:01.4, the world knew at last that it was on the brink of conquering the runner's Everest. But it wasn't until three Englishmen teamed up and took on the challenge as one that they accomplished the most significant sporting achievement of the twentieth century.

Over almost two hundred years, the methods the runners used, and the secrets they uncovered, were passed like a baton through the generations. The quest reached its climax on the 6th May, 1954 -- the day Bannister, Chataway and Brasher united to achieve the impossible.