Posted: May 7, 2004

Athletics: Mottram, O'Sullivan Win Sub-Four Commemorative Mile

From David Monti

(c) 2004 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com

By Bob Ramsak

Craig Mottram and Sonia O'Sullivan won yesterday's commemorative mile races in Oxford, England in an event marking the 50th anniversary of Roger Bannister's first sub-four minute mile.

Mottram, the Australian national record holder at 3000m and 5000m, built a thirty meter lead after the third lap to win in 3:56.64. The competition, held on the same six-lane Oxford University track where Bannister ran his 3:59.4, formally ended weeks of remembrances, analyses, recollections and celebrations held around the world to commemorate the 1954 barrier-breaking race.

Bannister and Austalian John Landy, who broke the Briton's record just 46 days later, were on hand for the event. Mohamed Farah, a 21-year-old who came to Britain a decade ago as a Somalian refugee, clocked 4:00.07 to finish second.

O'Sullivan, the reigning Olympic 5000m silver medallist, clocked 4:27.70 in the women's race, well ahead of Australian Georgie Clarke, who timed a personal best 4:31.76.

More than 2,000 spectators were on hand for the event, sponsored by the British Milers Club.

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