Diane Leather (born 7 January 1933, Streetly, West Midlands) is the first woman to run a mile in less than 5 minutes. Representing the Birchfield Harriers, Leather broke the 5 minute barrier with a time of 4 minutes and 59.6 seconds on 29 May 1954 during the Midlands Women's AAA Championships at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium. Coincidentally, this feat occurred just 23 days after Roger Bannister became the first ever man to run a sub 4 minute mile. In 1955, Diane broke the mile record by a further 15 seconds, leaving her personal best of 4:45. This mile record remained untouched for a further 7 years until Marise Chamberlain ran a 4:41.4 in 1962. It was not until after 1967 that the IAAF started recognising women world records at this distance.

Leather is now known by her married name of Diane Charles.

References

See also

World record progression for the mile run