More than 4,900 people joined together in the summer sun at the 2024 Vitality Westminster Mile as records fell on a memorable day on the streets of Westminster.
The iconic one-mile route around St James’s Park was tackled by first-timers and some of the best runners in the country. Ages spanned from as young as five weeks to 91 years old, as participants savoured their Finish Line moment in front of Buckingham Palace.
Records fell in the inaugural British Milers’ Club Bannister Mile, with Joe Wigfield running under four minutes for the first time in the 11-year history of the Westminster Mile in 3 minutes and 59 seconds. Katie Snowden took eight seconds off the women’s course record to finish in 4:23.
Elaine Rayner, Event Lead of the Vitality Westminster Mile, said: “The Vitality Westminster Mile is one of the most uplifting events you can be a part of and the sight of thousands of families coming out to run this stunning route around St James’s Park cannot fail to bring a smile to your face. We want to inspire activity among all ages and backgrounds and the inclusive nature of the Vitality Westminster Mile means it is often the first mass event of its kind that those taking part have ever done. I am sure it is a day that will live long in the memory.
“The feel-good vibes at the Vitality Wellness Festival have been giving energy to those taking part in the event and those who happen to be walking through Green Park. We hope to see them on the Start Line next year!”
Middle-distance runners break new ground in record-setting Bannister Mile
Seventy years after Sir Roger Bannister ran the distance under four minutes for the first time, the achievement was matched on the streets of Westminster.
Joe Wigfield ran 3:59 to become the first man in the history of the event to beat the mark, finishing two seconds ahead of James Young and Jacob Cann (both 4:01), and become just the 21st man in 70 years to run sub-four-minutes on the road.
The first woman across the line was Katie Snowden in 4:23, a course record, with the women being paced at sub-4:30 pace, ahead of Lilly Hawkins (4:48) and Hannah Kinane (4:56).
Wigfield and Snowden take home the prize money of £1,000 each, with the second and third-place finishers each winning £500 and £250 respectively.
Friends and families bring the energy in waves
For the masses, there was something for everyone. Waves included the Children with Cancer UK Wave and the Ruth Strauss Foundation Wave, which were started by some of the biggest names in sport, music and film – including former England Cricket captain Sir Andrew Strauss, musician Harry Judd and actor Harriet Thorpe – along with the Jr. NBA Wave to close out the mass participation events.
There were also numerous Family Waves where the youngsters took delight in sprinting for the Finish Line in front of Buckingham Palace ahead of their parents.
Tom, Lizzie, Rosie and Verity Edwards travelled from east London to take part.
Mum Lizzie said: “We really enjoyed it. It was hard at some points, but the girls did so well to keep going. It was good fun. Rosie, 6, added: “I am really happy I did it as I was first!”
Ishmail Sankoh was taking part with his wife, Mamah, and children Ishmail and Inaaya.
Ishmail is CEO of Countdown Community, an organisation based in Southwark, London, which encourages people to get active and live healthier lives.
He said: “It was excellent. Where we’re based, we’ve got a vast diversity of people in the area, so we decided to organise this community fun run to bring everybody together and to make people aware of their health and wellbeing.”
Coming from further afield was the Jones family, who travelled from Newport to complete the parkrun Wave, with parents Toby and Hayley supporting their twin daughters Lyla and Sienna. Sienna has quadriplegic cerebral palsy and spends much of her weekend mornings, along with her family, volunteering at her local parkrun.
Toby said: “We’ve never done an event like this with Sienna and her trike, so it was really enlightening to do that and it's something we should do more of when we’re at home.”
Hayley added: “It has been really inclusive for us as a family and we have really enjoyed it, Sienna had loads of support as we were going round.” Sienna said: “I enjoyed it as I got a medal!”
David Weir, the six-times Paralympic champion who announced his retirement from Great Britain competition after the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris two weeks ago, was the Official Starter of the 2024 Vitality Westminster Mile.
Weir said: “It was good to see families and young kids taking part today and seeing the wheelchair participants doing really well. The conditions were good for them, with a tail wind as they came down the final section. It’s good for them to race on the roads, I always enjoyed it, and the more they can do, the better.”
Yasmine Hodkinson, who is coached by the Weir Archer Academy, took part in the Wheelchair Wave. The 16-year-old said: “It was amazing and definitely different from the competitions we do throughout the season which are on the track. It was different vibes and, overall, really positive.”
Vitality Wellness Festival offers something for everyone
Thousands enjoyed the first day of the Vitality Wellness Festival in Green Park, with activities and taster sessions for all the family in sports including football and basketball, plus triathlon. Meet and Greet stands welcomed families and friends from organisations including Blueprint for All, parkrun, and the Ruth Strauss Foundation. Mark White at Run Grateful, the mindful movement collective, was collecting positivity on show around St James’s Park on World Gratitude Day, and he was not in short supply.
“It has been so uplifting all day, with all the energy and laughter,” said Mark. “People are expressing their gratitude and sharing what brings them happiness and it has been a pleasure to be a part of.”
Tayden Matthews, from Greenwich, took part in the Scouts Wave and then made the most of the Vitality Wellness Festival, having a go at basketball with Jr. NBA and taking on the Bloomsbury Football challenge.
The 11-year-old said: “It is really good because it makes people more active!”