1954: Chataway beats 5,000m world record

Chris Chataway, the 23-year-old Oxford blue, has broken the 5,000 metres world record by five seconds in what has been described as one of the most remarkable races seen on a British track.

He beat European champion Vladimir Kuts after a nail-biting finish in the London v Moscow match at White City athletics stadium in West London.

His time was recorded as 13 mins 51.6 secs.

Kuts led the race nearly all the way but despite the furious pace Chataway stuck to him like a limpet, never more that a metre behind.

The first mile was covered in just 4 mins 24.4 secs, after which Kuts put in an extra burst of energy to get away from the other runners. But he couldn't shake off the Briton.

Thousands chant for Chataway

Seven weeks ago the two competed in the 5,000m in Berne at the European Championship. The Russian had won but Chataway had learned his tactics.

An ecstatic crowd, numbering around 40,000 and chanting "Chat-a-way", was joined by millions of TV viewers watching live via a Eurovision link-up.

Kuts finished the second mile in 8min 54.6sec as the tension mounted.

Then Chataway drew on his reserves of strength to beat the Russian in the last few strides.

Overall Moscow won the athletics match by a long margin - 103 points to 56 - but the event will no doubt be best remembered for this dramatic duel.

	E-mail this story to a friend