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Empire Games statue returns to site of 'miracle' run

'Miracle Mile' was first unveiled in 1967 to commemorate a four-mile run from 1954
miracle mile
Dignitaries watch as a curtain is pulled up to reveal the Miracle Mile statue by sculptor Jack Harman at Hastings Park in 1967. The statue has been moved, this time closer to Empire Field where the miraculous race was held in 61 years ago. Photo Vancouver Archives 180-3937.03

The Miracle Mile is returning closer to the place it was created.

After Roger Bannister and John Landy both ran a mile in under four minutes at the 1954 Vancouver Empire Games, a bronze statue was created in their honour and installed at Hastings Park, near Empire Stadium where the magic happened.

The stadium and track are long gone, but that statue has now been moved closer to the place where the race was held. The new location was unveiled this morning.

Designed by Vancouver sculptor Jack Harman and unveiled in 1967, the statue is back at Empire Field, which now consists of two turf pitches beside the new Plateau Sports Park. 

The Park Board will celebrate the opening of Empire Fields and Plateau Sports Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., July 18.  

miracle mile
Roger Bannister and John Landy both ran a mile in under four minutes, a feat once thought impossible, at Empire Stadium during the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. Photo Vancouver Archives 180-3607