"The years 1953-54 were marked by the conquests of two unattainable peaks - Mount Everest and the Four Minute Mile. But the dream of setting a new track record for this distance started as early as the 1880's by the American Lon Myers, a stick-thin hypocondriac who was sick before and after every race, yet still held every US record from 50yards to the mile. By 1902 a record of 4 minutes and 16 seconds was set by the Englishman Joe Binks, an amateur runner who in his spare time worked as a journalist and writer. And again in 1923 the world inched even closer to the elusive four minute record thank to Paavo Nurmi, the 'Phantom Finn', who won nine Olympic gold medals and set so many world records that statisticians are still arguing over the total. Finally, in 1945, when Swede Gunder 'the Wonder' Haegg ran the mile in 4'01.4 the world knew at last that it was on the brink of conquering the Everst of all sports. But it wasn't until three Englishmen teamed up and took the challenge as one that they succeeded in accomplishing what was described as the most significant sporting achievement of the twnetieth century. This is the story of the long quest for the 'Magic Mile', almost tw