Today, 71 years ago, on May 6, 1954 (April 4, 1954), Bannister first broke the 1-mile 4-minute run line. Bannister ran to the finish line in 3 minutes 59 seconds 4 on May 6, 1954. 15 miles per hour winds also failed to stop Oxford University Medical School student Roger-Bannister from breaking the 1-mile 4-minute run line. Bannister ran 1500 meters in 3 minutes 59 seconds 4. Bannister struck a barrier that people had been trying to break for 20 years. Bannister was 25 when he created the record.