History's First Sub-Five Woman's Miler, Diane Leather Charles, Dies At 85

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Diane Leather Charles, who became the first woman to break five minutes for the mile in 1954, died Wednesday in England. She was 85.

At a time when women's distance running held few opportunities, Diane Leather rose up in a fashion almost parallel to famed miler Roger Bannister, who also died this year. 

As a university student in England, Leather ran a mile in 4:59.6 on May 29, 1954 -- three weeks after Bannister made worldwide headlines for breaking four minutes. 

She went on to drive down the "world best" to 4.45.0 in 1955 and she held that record for seven years. 

During her best years on the track, there were no middle or long distance races for women in the Olympic Games. She competed in the 800 meters in 1960 in Rome, but she was eliminated in the first round. It was the first time that a race as long as the 800 had been offered for women since 1928. 

She was also the first woman to run under 4:30 for 1,500 meters, going 4:29.7 in 1957. She won British titles in events ranging from 800 meters to cross country.