The BMC Mile gives athletes a rare opportunity to run an official mile road race on the Vitality Westminster Mile course, starting on The Mall and finishing in front of Buckingham Palace.
Pacemakers will be organised at the front of the field for men looking to break the famous four-minute barrier and women looking to go inside 4:20.
In last year’s inaugural event, Great Britian international Katie Snowden crossed the line in a rapid 4:23, making her the eighth-fastest Brit in history for a road mile, and the fastest in the UK.
The 2024 race made history on multiple counts, as Joe Wigfield became the first athlete to run a sub-four-minute mile on the road in London when he broke the tape in 3:59.
Elaine Rayner, Event Lead for the Vitality Westminster Mile, said: “We are delighted to welcome the BMC Westminster Mile back to the Vitality Westminster Mile. Our first edition last year was an incredible success with Joe Wigfield becoming the first person in the history of the event to run sub-four and Katie Snowden running an incredible 4:23 to set a course record. That shows that, as well as the course being like no other in the world for landmarks, it is also very fast. So, anyone who is looking to enjoy a competitive, iconic and fast mile to round off the season, this is for you.”
Wigfield became just the 21st British man in 70 years to run sub-four-minutes on the road, finishing two seconds ahead of James Young and Jacob Cann (both 4:01), to showcase the potential for fast times on the Vitality Westminster Mile course. A time of 3:58.2 would be quick enough to break into the top 20 best British men’s times of all time over one mile.
Other records to fall in 2024 included Kirstie Booth’s run of 4:57 to set a Masters Mile road best in the over-45s category that had stood for 14 years, while there were also new national men's age-group records set by Mark Symes, who ran a leading time of 4:45 in the over-55s category, and Doug Milsom crossed the Finish Line in 9:18 to set a new best time in the over-85s.
The Vitality Westminster Mile is open to BMC members aiming for faster than 4:40 men or 5:24 women. You can enter now.
There will be prize money available for first (£1,000), second (£500) and third (£250) in the men’s and women’s race.
The Vitality Westminster Mile was launched by London Marathon Events in partnership with Westminster City Council in 2013 as a legacy event from the 2012 Olympic Games. It includes miles for all ages and abilities, including families, adults and veterans, juniors, elite athletes and wheelchair users.