The watch that recorded the first sub four minute mile sold for 20,000 pounds, approximately $30,000, a few months ago. In 2011, the same watch fetched more than 97,000 pounds, approximately $150,000, at a charity auction. I would say it qualifies as a collectors’ item.
On May 6, 1956, Sir Roger Bannister ran a 3:59.4 at Iffley track in Oxford, England. Bannister’s record was broken 46 days later and he went on to become a distinguished neurologist. He has gone on the record saying he is more proud of his contribution to medicine than his record setting achievement.
I love that Bannister broke the mile barrier as a medical student. I think it’s a sobering reminder that hobby’s are healthy, but they should not dominate other personal and professional goals. I wish I could double my weekly mileage and push hard for a PR but I know this is not realistic with my current time constraints. I’ve read consistent marathon results are a function of your last two years of training. I’ve got about 7 months of marathon training under my belt, so I’m still optimistic my times will fall.
Nine weeks until Bangkok Marathon and 11 weeks until Mt Fuji marathon!
You can read more about Sir Roger Bannister here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Bannister
And you can read more about the watch auction here:
http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/12957489.Sir_Roger_record_watch_sold_for___20_000/