The dream of a four-minute mile, once considered a physical impossibility seemed a lot closer to reality last week. An Australian agricultural student named John Landy, who had never beaten 4:10 in his life, suddenly raced through the most sparkling mile performance since Gunder ("The Wonder") Haag's world record of 4:01.4 in 1945.
Running on a Melbourne track deadened by heavy rain, and staying in an outside lane to avoid the worst of the puddles, Landy reeled off quarters of 59.2, 61.8, 62.0 and 59.1. His time, after running an estimated ten yards extra:...
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