The spikes Roger Bannister wore when running the first ever sub-four-minute mile at Iffley Road in 1954 carry an estimate of 30,000- 50,000

The shoes worn by Roger Bannister when he ran the first sub-four-minute mile at Iffley Road in 1954 are to be auctioned by Christie’s in September.

Made by Charles Law of GT Law and Son, the spikes weighed just four and a half ounces.

“I could see there was an advantage in having the shoe as light as possible,” said Bannister, who clocked 3:59.4 for the mile in Oxford on May 6, 1954. “The leather is extremely thin and the spikes are unusually thin, as I used a grindstone to make them even thinner.

“These shoes are the last tangible link I have with the four-minute mile. All my trophies are now on display at Pembroke College Oxford, where I was Master.”

The shoes, which carry an estimate of between 30,000 to 50,000, will be offered in the September 10 ‘Out of the Ordinary’ auction at South Kensington.

“They served me great purpose, I m grateful to them,” said the 86-year-old.

Last year Bannister, who went on to become a distinguished neurologist following his achievements on the track, revealed how he had been diagnosed with Parkinson s disease. On the sale of his shoes, he added: “I think it s the right time to part with them and I plan to give part of the proceeds to the Autonomic Charitable Trust (ACT) which encourages the area of neurological research to which I have devoted most of my life. Other worthwhile causes in which I have an interest will also benefit.”

Earlier this week the BBC reported how a stopwatch which had been used to time Bannister’s first sub-four-minute mile sold for 20,000 when auctioned at Sotheby’s.

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