How long did England’s Roger Bannister, the first athlete to run the long-elusive four-minute mile, hold the world title in the event? August 17, 2017 By Show answer For 46 days. Bannister’s record of 3:59.4, set on May 6, 1954, was broken by Australia’s John Landy, who hit the tape at 3:58.0 on June 21, 1954 More Sports Questions