A former 5,000 metres world record-holder, who acted as a pacemaker to help Roger Bannister become the first man to break the four-minute mile barrier in 1954, has died aged 82.

Christopher Chataway died at around 7am on Sunday at St John’s Hospice in north west London, having suffered from cancer for two and a half years, his son Mark Chataway said.

Bannister paid tribute to his great friend.

“He was gallant to the end,” Bannister told BBC Sport.

“Our friendship dated back over more than half a century. We laughed, ran and commiserated together. People will always remember him for the great runner he was, but it shouldn’t be forgotten that he had an extremely distinguished career off the track.

“My family and I will miss him sorely and our thoughts go out to his family and many friends who were so fond of him.”

Chataway played a crucial role in Bannister’s finest achievement, pacing him to the four-minute mile 60 years ago.

Chataway, along with Chris Brasher, acted as pacemaker for the race at the Iffley Road track in Oxford on May 6, 1954, which saw Bannister become the first man to achieve a feat which had remained elusive for so long.

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