Record number of finishers at Bannister Miles 2026, as Laura Muir wins the Millicent Fawcett Mile

Oxford hosted on 4th May the third annual Bannister Miles Celebration with a record number of runners in both the Community Mile and Track Miles.  Over 1,300 people took to the streets, running the one-mile distance from Christ Church Meadow to the famous Iffley Road Athletic Track. 310 athletes from across the UK raced in one of 25 one-mile track races, with Olympic Silver medallist and national record holder, Laura Muir, taking the win in the Millicent Fawcett Mile.

 

laura muir winning the millicent fawcett mile

Pembroke College, who this year proudly sponsored the event, painted the Community Mile pink with nearly 50 entries from the College. Easily taking the crown for the college with the most entries. The Bannister Community Mile is fast becoming a family affair. The increasingly popular Family Wave was expanded into two waves this year with over 400 U15 kids racing. The youngest competitor just 2 years old. David Picksley, who is 93 and was at Iffley Road in 1954, returned for his third Bannister Mile.

 

Gordon Sanghera, whose Sanghera Foundation this year sponsored free places for local school children, as well as Thurstan Bannister, Sir Roger’s son, both started waves of the Community Mile. At the finish line, partners from Blake Morgan, a local Oxfordshire law firm and proudly sponsor of the event, handed out medals to all finishers.

 

Thomas Renshaw, event organizer from the university’s cross-country club said: “Year on year, this event continues to grow. For me, what makes this event so special is the joy you see on a kid’s face when you give them their bib number. The mile is such an accessible distance for this age group, and we can only hope that their excitement and joy of running in this event inspires them to continue running for the rest of their lives. Who knows, some of them may return to Iffley Road in years to come and compete in the elite track races.”  

 

The Track Miles throughout the afternoon were run in tandem with the British Milers’ Club, who have faithfully promoted competition at this distance for 63 years. The calm weather proved perfect for fast times, with numerous PBs across the races. The women’s elite race, this year the UKA’s Millicent Fawcett Mile, was won by Laura Muir in a time of 4:34.05. She was followed by Keira Brady-Jones and Oxford University Cross Country Club (OUCCC) athlete, Charlotte Buckley. Charlotte becomes the first Oxford student to podium at the Millicent Fawcett Mile, a proud achievement.

 

In the men’s elite race, 17-year-old Freddie Rowe of Havering AC timed his kick down the final 100m to perfection to become the youngest winner of the Bannister Mile in a time of 4:00.88. Rounding out the top three were Ethan Newall and Jack Kavanagh. Alexander Gruen, an OUCCC athlete, was fourth in a PB time of 4:02.47. He will return to the mile on 23rd May when he takes on Cambridge in the Varsity Match at Iffley Road. All athletes received prizes from event sponsor Maurten and prize money from the British Milers Club. Athletes in the Millicent Fawcett Mile, as is tradition, signed their names into a specially made book, while Laura Muir received a custom-made glass trophy.

 

There was also a V50 British Record for Dean Richardson of City of Stoke AC, whose children both study at the University of Oxford, and were down on the day to see their Dad run 4:26.97. Potentially one of the most impressive races of the day was the men’s mile steeplechase, where British Champions, Mark Pearce and Will Battershill, went toe to toe over 18 barriers. Will pulled away in the final 200m to set a track record time of 4:20.40.

 

Thomas Renshaw, event organizer from the university’s cross-country club said: “We are proud to be putting on an event that brings in elite-level athletes from across the country, from junior athletes right through to senior Olympic medallists. We hope that this, combined with the Community Mile, is a fulfilling celebration of Sir Roger Bannister’s life. A man who was an academic and elite athlete who recognised the benefit that sport could bring to communities across the country.”

 

Full Results:

5 May 2026