A Lasting Moment In Time

Posted by Tom Locke on October 23rd, 2019 filed in General, History, Life, Sports ... All Sorts

Back in 1993 I commissioned a young, up-and-coming artist to do a painting of elite mile distant runners, England’s Sir Roger Bannister and Australian John Landy, to commemorate their historic race at the 1954 British Empire & Commonwealth Games held in Vancouver; a race that would for ever after become known as the Miracle Mile.

With only 90 yards to go in this legendary race, John Landy glanced over his left shoulder to check his opponent’s position. At that instant Bannister streaked by him to victory in a Commonwealth record time of 3:58.8. Landy’s second place finish in 3:59.6 marked the first time the four minute mile had been broken by two men in the same race.

The Miracle Mile painting and prints originally signed by Bannister, Landy and the artist were introduced at the 1994 Commonwealth Games held in Victoria, BC. The original painting hangs over the my fireplace at home and over the last 25 years, I have had a number of runners, sports enthusiasts and professional speakers reach out to me for a signed print.

It’s truly amazing what this moment in time has become a metaphor for – from breaking barriers to achieving goals to dedication/commitment to a sport. Case in point, this past August I was contacted by Phredd Evans, a high school Assistant Principal in Jones, Oklahoma.

Phredd has a saying he shares with his students, “What’s behind you doesn’t matter”. To support this, he reached out to me for a print so he could place it in his office as a reminder to students that looking back can be costly.

Kudos to you Phredd. May this legendary moment in time continue to inspire your students – new and old.