Running legend Roger Bannister will open Sunday’s Oxford Half Marathon.

Organisers said this year’s event would celebrate “all things Bannister”, to honour Sir Roger’s breaking of the four-minute mile record at the Iffley Road track 60 years ago.

As part of the theme, the race will for the first time include a lap round the circuit.

And Sir Roger will also be available to sign copies of his new book Twin Tracks: The Autobiography from 8am to 9am at the Kassam Stadium, where the race starts and finishes. He said: “I’m really looking forward to seeing off all the runners and getting to be a part of this fantastic race.”

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