Sandy Roberts to attempt sub 4:00 mile Wednesday night in Raleigh (updated with race video)

Sandy Roberts at the 2012 Magnificent Mile

The sub four minute mile is something that was once thought impossible. That was until May 6, 1954, when Roger Bannister ran 3:59.4 at Oxford University's Iffley Road Track. Since then, many world-class milers have accomplished this goal, including 404 Americans.

This Wednesday, August 7th at around 9:20 pm, Raleigh's Sandy Roberts (@FTRoberts) will attempt to be the next to join that list.

Roberts is a Raleigh native and was a five-time State Champion in the 3200 meters (2x Indoors, 3x Outdoors) at Broughton High. He was also the 2004 State 4A Cross Country Champion and a two-time qualifier for the famed Foot Locker Cross Country National Championship.

He went on to Georgetown University to run a 4:01.21 mile and would later compete for NC State University, where he would run 13:59 for 5000 meters and would qualify for the 2012 NCAA Championship final in that event.

Roberts currently runs for Capital Runwalk; the longtime Cameron Village running store (formerly The Athletes Foot).

On this night, Sandy's brother Logan, a 1:50 800 meter runner, who competed collegiately at Baylor, will be pacing through 800 meters in around 1:58, before the crowd will help bring him home on the last two laps.

Festivities will start around 8:30 pm at the Cardinal Gibbons track, with the gun going off around 9:20 pm. The after-party will be held at Trophy Brewing.

RSVP for the event on Facebook

Video from the race:


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