SPECIAL DEDICATION
Today’s article is dedicated to my high school cross country coach Jack Brophy who instilled in me a lifelong passion for competitive running.
As I competed internationally in masters and senior track competitions into my 50’s, I never forgot the foundation in the sport I received from Coach Brophy.
And the older I get the more I’m able to fully appreciate what Coach Brophy did for my friends and I on the cross country team. He genuinely cared about the well being of each runner on the team. He wanted the team to win, but he also wanted us to learn from the experience, and for each of us to fulfill our potential.
One of my greatest personal moments in the sport, that I will share at the end of this article, could not have been reached without the initial guidance I received from Coach Brophy.
Thanks Coach!
BACKGROUND FOR TODAY’S STORY
In the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam, track events for women were contested for the first time.
The longest event was the 800 meter run (roughly a half-mile).
Several female runners collapsed after completing the 800 meter run, another fainted in the locker room.
Lawson Robertson, the head coach of the USA track team, was quoted in the San Francisco Examiner on Aug 3, 1928, “I wasn’t surprised to see many girls collapse at the end of this grueling race for women.”
The all-male officials that operated the track meet, and the Olympic Games, determined that races of 800 meters or longer were so dangerous for those of the weaker sex that for the next generation official competitions were not run that were longer than 400 meters (one lap on a track), nor were official world records maintained at distances of 1 mile or longer.
The women’s 800 meter run was not included in the Olympics again until 1960 in Rome.
With that bit of history, I’d like to introduce you to a brave young woman named Diane Leather who was 22-years-old in May, 1954 when Roger Bannister broke the 4 minute mile barrier.
DIANE LEATHER
A couple of months ago I received a tip from my friend Glenn who told me that Diane Leather, a British middle distance runner, made an attempt in 1954 to become the first woman to break the 5 minute mile.
I was already following Roger Bannister each day in 1954, so it was easy for me to also keep track of Diane Leather.
It turned out to be a fascinating journey.
Now come back with me to 1954.
A PRIMER ON THE WOMEN’S “WORLD RECORD” FOR THE MILE RUN
Here in 1954 there is no official world record for the mile run for women. Women are deemed too fragile to safely run a mile.
This has not stopped many brave British women from running the mile.
Here is the progression of the unofficial record for the women’s mile through the summer of 1953. The women’s mile had been completely dominated by the British. And 5 minutes was inching closer, but still appeared to be years away.
6:13.2 Elizabeth Atkinson (UK) - June 24, 1921
5:27.5 Ruth Christmas (UK) - August 20, 1932
5:24.0 Gladys Lunn (UK) - June 1, 1936
5:23.0 Gladys Lunn (UK) - July 18, 1936
5:20.8 Gladys Lunn (UK) - May 8, 1937
5:17.0 Gladys Lunn (UK) - August 7, 1937
5:15.3 Evelyn Forster (UK) - July 22, 1939
5:11.0 Anne Oliver (UK) - June 14, 1952
5:09.8 Enid Harding (UK) - June 4, 1953
5:08.0 Anne Oliver (UK) - September 12, 1953
STUNNING PROGRESS
Enter Diane Leather.
In an international women’s mile race on the track in the White City stadium in London (sight of the 1908 Olympic Games) on September 30, 1953, Diane Leather destroyed a field that included former “world record” holder Enid Harding.
Leather took the lead at the half-mile and won by a wide margin.
Leather’s time stood out even more - 5:02.6!
Diane Leather had taken more than 5 seconds off the unofficial world record and more importantly she put herself just outside the 5-minute mile barrier.
The October 1, 1953, London Daily Telegraph reported, “Diane Leather of Birchfield Harriers, put the five-minute mile for women within as close striking distance as the four-minute mile for men. Miss Leather ran a truly magnificent race.”
A NEWCOMER TO THE SPORT
Diane’s great race marked the culmination of an amazing first full year as a distance runner. Diane Leather had not taken up the sport until 1952, when she at first thought she might like hurdle racing, after watching the Helsinki Olympics that summer.
But she quickly learned she had natural talent in the longer runs. And she soon won the Midlands and National cross country championship.
PUBLIC INTEREST IN THE 5 MINUTE MILE
Immediately after Roger Bannister became the first man to break 4 minutes for the mile, the British press began to focus on the possibility that perhaps Diane Leather could become the first women to break the 5 minute mile.
Late in 1953, a Romanian, Edith Treybal, had further shaved the women’s mile “world record” down to 5:00.3, cutting 2 seconds off the mark set by Diane Leather. There are no accounts of this race, but clearly the 5 minute mile was on notice as track season was underway in 1954 and Bannister’s race had elevated the sport of running the mile to it’s peak.
Naturally, as The Sports Time Traveler™ I stay here in 1954 and follow Diane’s progress.
MY SPORTS TIME TRAVEL UPDATES ON DIANE LEATHER
Birmingham, England - May 7, 1954
The Birmingham Weekly Post reported an update on Diane Leather today. The story is as much about whether Miss Leather can break the 5 minute mile barrier as it is about the potential ill health effects of trying to make the attempt:
“It is confidently expected she will be inside the 5 minute mark before the end of her second year.
“Opinions may be divided as to whether or not women should take part in competitive athletics, which undoubtedly make heavy demands on physical attributes, but Miss Leather had no hesitation in saying that far from feeling any ill-effects from her efforts she feels all the better. And, as the daughter of a distinguished surgeon it may be taken for granted that she would not have been encouraged to go on with the sport if there had been any reason to suppose it would do her any physical harm.”
Birmingham, England - May 15, 1954
The newspaper, Sports Argus, here in Birmingham, England, wrote the following today:
“There can be little doubt that Diane Leather will be the first girl to run a mile inside five minutes. Birchfielders hope she may do the trick at their opening meeting on May 26.
Birmingham, England - May 22, 1954
A story about Diane appeared again in Sports Argus today, here in Birmingham. It was titled, “Can Diane Succeed?”
Here are some excerpts from the story:
“Next Wednesday evening (May 26) will be the Midland Women’s mile team race. It seems pretty obvious who will be the first girl to finish, and if Diane Leather finds suitable conditions to permit her being the first girl to beat five minutes such a success on her own track will be popularly received.”
Birmingham, England - May 23, 1954
Last night Diane Leather ran the 880 yards (half mile) in the Staffordshire championships here in Birmingham.
Diane won the race in a time of 2:16.4, just 3.8 seconds off the official world record.
Yes, world records are maintained for the half mile for women.
The headline in the Sunday Mercury in Birmingham for the track meet read, “DIANE ONLY 3.8 SECS. OUTSIDE THE BEST.”
Birmingham, England - May 24, 1954
The Birmingham Evening Mail included a story today about Diane titled, “Women’s Mile Record Attempt.”
The start of the article read, “Provided conditions are favourable, Miss Diane Leather, the Birchfield Harrier, will attempt to run the mile in five minutes - a feat never before accomplished by a woman - at Wednesday’s spring meeting of her club.”
Birmingham, England - May 25, 1954
Today the Evening Dispatch newspaper here in Birmingham featured an article with a giant headline on the top of page 7, “WILL DIANE BREAK THE FIVE-MINUTE MILE TOMORROW?”
The article included this passage, “Diane Leather already holds the British record with 5 min. 2.6 sec. This is 2.3 sec. slower than the best European time alleged to have been made by E. Treybal (Rumania). There is no official world’s record.
Previewing the upcoming mile race, and Diane’s potential to beat the five-minute barrier, the newspaper wrote, “There is no one more capable of beating the watch at this distance, but the Birchfield girl will have to do all her own running and, at the same time, have to contend with the weather conditions which, unless there is a rapid change for the better, are by no means conducive to record breaking.”
The writer was indicating that there would not be any competition strong enough to push Diane to the record, nor would there be anyone to pace her in the early going as Roger Bannister had in his four-minute mile record race a little more than two weeks ago.
Birmingham, England - May 26, 1954
On the day of the race, The Birmingham Gazette ran a front page story with a preview of the race that included a nice picture of Diane (see below).
The article was titled, “She Hopes ‘to do a Bannister’ Today.”
The opening line of the article read, “Diane Leather, 22-year old daughter of a Birmingham surgeon, hopes to become the world’s fastest woman miler tonight… this tall, slender Birmingham University microanalyst is to try to run a mile in five minutes - for a woman a feat equivalent to Roger Bannister’s four minute mile.”
The article also noted that, “she spent all last evening sitting for an examination as part of her training at the University laboratory. This morning she will go to the laboratory and put in her usual day’s work.”
The women’s mile race is at 8:25pm tonight.
The article concluded with this, “There is only one small cloud on Miss Leather’s bright horizon. There is no officially recognized woman athlete’s mile in the International Amateur Athletic Federation’s calendar of records.”
Birmingham, England - May 27, 1954
Diane was very nervous prior to the start of the race last night.
The Birmingham Evening Mail called her, “Nervous Diane.” in the subheading of an article on the race. They reported that before the race she had to face a battery of a dozen reporters, nine newspaper photographers and a TV camera crew.
In the race she ran the first quarter-mile in 74 seconds, which is just under 5 minute mile pace. The newspaper then wrote, “soon after the first lap she broke away on her own and for the rest of the race had to set her own pace - a difficult task which was made no easier by the wind… she was not distressed at all when she finished. In fact Miss Leather was in remarkably good condition.”
Diane came through the half-mile just over 5 minute pace at 2:30.8 according to the Liverpool Daily Post.
On the third lap she slowed down further coming through the three-quarter mile mark at 3:48.6.
Now Diane needed a last lap of 71.3 seconds to beat 5 minutes.
On the last lap the Liverpool Daily Post reported, “Cheered on by a crowd of about 2,000, Miss Leather now running alone, as the others were so far behind, finished with a dramatic burst against the slight breeze.”
But she fell just shy of the goal with a final time of 5:00.2.
The Daily Telegraph in London reported on the race under the headline, “MISS LEATHER FAILS BY .2 Sec.”
The time at least gave Diane the unofficial world record, bettering the 5:00.3 reportedly run by Edith Treybal last November.
The Daily Herald, a London paper, ran a picture of Diane on the front page of the paper with a headline that read, “A WORLD RECORD - BUT.”
The Daily Herald wrote that Diane was, “disappointed but still smiling.”
Talking about her performance she told the newspaper, “Perhaps I failed because I had no pacemaker, but it was my intention to do a five-minute mile purely on my own efforts.”
Diane’s approach is in stark contrast to the team approach Roger Bannister deployed when he arranged to have world class runners, Chris Brasher and Chris Chataway, pace him through first first 3 laps of the 4 lap mile race in his 3:59.4 mile 3 weeks ago in Oxford.
Diane then indicated that she has actually already broken the 5 minute barrier unofficially, “I have done better in training, but I think the excitement and knowing I was being timed by AAA experts rather put me off.”
Then she told the Birmingham Gazette, “I’m going home to bed for a night’s solid sleep. I have to sit for an examination tomorrow.”
NO MORE FIVE MINUTE MILE ATTEMPTS TIL THE FALL
The Birmingham Evening Mail delivered news that must be disappointing to all British track fans, “It is understood that she (Diane) will not attempt another five-minute mile until the Birchfield Harriers floodlit meeting in Birmingham on October 2.”
The reason for this was made clear by her coach who explained in the Birmingham Gazette that Diane will be training for the half-mile because that is the official women’s track distance race.
Birmingham, England - May 30, 1954
Last night was the Midland Women’s Championship track meet in Birmingham.
Diane was focused on running the 800 meters and she won that race in a new British record time of 2:14.1, which was just 1 second off the official world record.
Immediately after her record breaking 800 meter race, Diane Leather made a surprise announcement.
The London Daily Mirror reported that she said, “I feel fine. I’m going to have a go at the double.”
This meant that Diane Leather was going to run the mile which was scheduled to take place just 30 minutes later.
This was completely unplanned.
In fact her coach, Mrs. Nelson Neale, tried to talk Diane out of it. The Birmingham Gazette wrote, “Mrs. Neale tried to dissuade her. The weather was ‘hopeless’ for record-breaking, and the 800 metres had been a grueling race. But Miss Leather persisted.”
The Daily Mirror reported, “When the race started, few of those present knew that Diane was in the race.”
After the first lap Diane was on a very fast pace with a time of 68.8 seconds for the quarter-mile according to the Birmingham Post. That would be a mile pace of under 4:36.
At the half-mile Diane was clocked in 2:27.0, still well under 5 minute pace. But after the very fast first lap she had slowed down to a 2nd quarter-mile of just 78.2 seconds.
The Daily Mirror wrote, “It was not until the timekeeper’s announcement of 3:46.3 for the three-quarters that the crowd realised she had a great chance to crack five minutes.”
Indeed Diane, running in the lead, all alone again, with no one to pace her, and 100 yards ahead of the closest runner, had passed three-quarter miles over 2 full seconds faster than in her 5 minute mile attempt 3 days earlier.
The crowd was thrilled by the time, but in fact Diane was continuing to slow down after the fast opening quarter. Her 3rd lap time was just 79.3. Her present pace would not be fast enough to get her to the finish line under 5 minutes.
Then Diane found another gear. The London Sunday People wrote, “As she moved into the straight she lengthened her stride superbly and raced on to finish 160 yards ahead of the second girl.”
The London Sunday Mirror wrote about her finishing burst, “Diane lengthened her stride admirably and raced on to achieve her ambition.”
After she crossed the line, “she was immediately surrounded by cheering clubmates.”
She had done it!
Her final time was 4:59.6.
She had run the last quarter mile, on her own, in just 73.3 seconds.
Diane Leather had broken the 5 minute barrier for the mile - the first women ever to do it.
Diane had a great feeling of achievement. The Birmingham Post reported, “When told the figures she simply said, ‘at last,’ and seemed relieved it was over.”
She told the Birmingham Gazette, “I’m thrilled but so glad it is all over. I knew I could do it if there was no fuss and bother.”
Several newspapers also noted that Diane felt fine after the race. No ill effects from running a British record 800 and “world record” mile within 30 minutes of each other.
Diane’s father was there to see the record runs. The London Sunday Dispatch reported, “Dr. James Leather was as excited as his daughter. ‘Marvelous,’ he kept saying.”
The Dispatch further quoted Diane, “After Wednesday’s attempt (May 26), I felt I could break this five minute mile so I decided to have another go without fuss or bother. That is why I did not tell anybody until after the 800 metres, and until I knew how I felt.”
WORLDWIDE NEWS
The news of the 5 minute barrier being broken was reported around the world.
The New York Times featured a large picture of Diane on page 129 of the Sunday, May 30, 1954 paper. The AP story included this passage, “A 5-minute mile in women’s track and field had been looked upon as the sport’s greatest goal.
The Los Angeles Times wrote about the race, “A good-looking laboratory analyst ran a mile in 4:59.6 - the fastest ever for a woman.”
BUT STILL NOT AN OFFICIAL WORLD RECORD
The New York Times also pointed out, “There is no world record for the distance, as a mile is not authorized in International Amateur Athletic Federation regulations.”
NEXT UP FOR DIANE
The London Daily Mirror reported that Diane said after the race, “Thank goodness that’s over. Now I can concentrate on my chemistry exams.
Diane has additional summer plans after her exams. She will prepare to run the 800 meters in the European Games, the most important track meet in the world this year, which gets underway at the end of July.
The Sports Time Traveler will continue following Diane Leather in 1954.
An Additional 5 Minute Mile Story By The Sports Time Traveler™
The Sports Time Traveler™ can personally relate to this story of breaking the 5 minute mile as I ran many sub-5 miles and also attempted the feat at that age of 50.
Runners World published an article in 2015 in which I wrote about my quest to run the 5 minute mile at age 50.
You can read the article at this link:
Under 5:00 at 50-years-old
Running 5 minute miles was something I was able to do routinely between the age of 16 and 41.
When I wrote the article in 2015, I described the moment I formulated the goal of running a 5 minute mile at age 50.
Unfortunately, Runners World decided to cut that paragraph from the article as they published it.
Now I’d like to share with you the paragraph that the Runners World editor cut:
Somewhere along the path to turning 50, about three years ago, a thought popped into my head. For the very first time I had the notion that it would be awesome if I could run a 5 minute mile again when I reached the age of 50. It was a small epiphany. I realized that this goal was so gigantic, that achieving it would bring a sense of self satisfaction and accomplishment that I perhaps had never felt before in 35 years of participating in track & field. It would be akin to a lifetime achievement award, a testimonial to the benefit of keeping myself in good shape for half a century. It was a goal so special, so unique, that it could not even be attempted until I had finely aged. It wasn’t just running the 5 minute mile once more. It was doing it at the age of 50.
And here’s a picture of me on the day in December, 2013 when I achieved my goal.
Thanks again Coach Brophy.
And thanks to all my readers.
And please share The Sports Time Traveler™.
1954 - Can Diane Leather Break 5 Minutes for the Mile... And Live?