IT WAS almost 50 years ago _ May 6, 1954 to be exact _ that Roger Bannister shattered one of the most coveted records in athletics, becoming the first man to break the four-minute mile barrier.

Since then hundreds of athletes have replicated that feat, the record now standing at an almost unbelievable three minutes, 43.13 seconds (Hicham El Guerrouj, Rome, July 7, 1999).

Yet to this day no-one has ever managed to dip under four minutes on Bermuda soil.

And there's about as much chance of it happening during tonight's elite men's mile on Front Street as there is of 73-year-old Dr. Bannister coming out of retirement and running another sub-four.

That's not to denigrate the event in any way. It continues to be one of the highlights on Bermuda's sporting calendar, not to mention one of the better organised events by Bermuda Track and Field Association.

Nor is it meant to demean the field of superbly fit, extremely talented athletes who will spend their last breath in an attempt to pick up the $10,000 bonus still on offer to anyone who can break that magical four-minute mark.

Ironically, among the starting line-up tonight will be past winner Marcus O'Sullivan, who during an illustrious athletics career has posted more indoor sub-four minute miles than anyone else.

Now aged 40, he won't expect to add to that list, competing only because of his fondness for Bermuda and the Front Street event itself.

But it's highly unlikely also that three crack Kenyans who intend to work together in order to maintain a hot pace, will achieve their ultimate goal. Indeed, they will have performed admirably if they manage to get anywhere near the course record of 4:04.2 set by American Joe Falcon in 1992.

Such is the timing of tonight's race, the difficulty of the course, and weather conditions _ traditionally the runners have had to endure either blustery winds or rain, or even both _ that clocking a fast time is simply not realistic.

At this time of year, few international athletes are in peak condition. Their training for the lucrative track and field season has only just begun.

Add that factor to the two tight hairpin turns on the course _ at the Birdcage and at the Longtail statue _ which instantly kill a runner's momentum, and throw in a head-wind which will buffet the field both going out and coming in, and sub-four minutes quickly becomes a distant thought.

Speak to any of the event's past winners and they'll all tell the same story. While mile races these days are what most of us would consider a sprint, the goal is always to win which may or may not be achieved with a fast time.

Rich Tremain inked his name on the roll of honour with an unspectacular 4:11 last year. But it was good enough to win, and on course that requires tactical savvy, he couldn't have cared less about what appeared on the clock as he crossed the line.

The cash bonus might be attractive, but until the course changes, it's unlikely to find its way into any of the runners' pockets.

In fact, unless it changes, it might be another 50 years before locals witness a four-minute mile.

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WHAT'S the big secret?

Prompted perhaps (or not) by last week's Friday Forum column concerning the continuing non development of Morgan's Point, formerly the Southampton Naval Annex, Works Minister Alex Scott assured this week that "important progress" would be made over the coming months.

But neither he nor Bermuda Land Development Company, who have responsibility for the former base, seem willing to disclose any details.

As mentioned last week, it's now been six years since the land was handed by the US Navy back to Bermuda. Plans have come and gone, but still it remains off limits to Bermudians.

If there's something new in the pipeline, then let's hear it and let's open it for discussion.

Enough time has been wasted already.