A celebrated athletics commentator and coach will present awards at the Bannister Track Miles event.

Geoff Wightman will serve as the announcer for the Bannister Track Miles at the Sir Roger Bannister Track.

Scheduled for May 4, Mr Wightman has provided commentary at many world championships, including the New York and London Marathons.

Mr Wightman is also the parent and former trainer of Jake Wightman, the 1500m World Champion, and has played a major role in athletics, mentoring other international competitors including Steph Twell and Harvey Dixon.

The Track Miles event commemorates the 72nd anniversary of Sir Roger Bannister’s landmark accomplishment of running a mile in under four minutes.

Multiple four-lap races will occur, drawing competitors from across Britain and internationally.

Attendees can watch the event at no cost, with additional offerings including refreshments, vendors, and entertainment.

The races, featuring junior, senior, steeplechase, and para categories, begin at 2.30pm, with the elite men’s and women’s competitions at 6pm.

Several athletes who have run sub-four-minute miles are anticipated to return from last year’s men’s race, where four competitors finished in under four minutes.

The women’s race will be the prestigious UKA Millicent Fawcett Mile for 2026.

Dr Gordon Sanghera, co-founder and CEO of Oxford Nanopore Technologies, will give the official start for the Bannister Community Mile Family Wave.

This year, more than 200 young participants have signed up, including 30 complimentary spots for local schools.

The Community Mile welcomes all ages and skill levels, with free admission for children under six.

Beginning at 9am, groups of runners in the Community Mile will start from St Aldate’s and conclude on Iffley Road.

Completion medals will be awarded at the Sir Roger Bannister Track.

The yearly Bannister Miles event, put on by the Oxford University Cross Country Club, is a two-day occasion held each May Bank Holiday.

The Community Mile occurs in the morning, with the Track Miles in the afternoon.

The Community Mile has broadened the event’s appeal, with over 1,500 individuals taking part.

The Track Miles features hundreds of competitors racing around the track, with the British Milers Club conducting their U14, U16, and U18 Championship races as part of the program.

This year, Steve Cram’s Events of the North is assisting with organizing the Community Mile, as the planners work to establish this as the leading mile racing competition in the nation.

The initiative will coincide with the 75th anniversary of Bannister’s achievement in 2029.