Tankard for mile world record in Whanganui

This tankard was given to New Zealand athlete Peter Snell to commemorate when he ran a mile in 3 minutes 54.4 seconds at Cooks Gardens, Whanganui, on 27 January 1962, setting both a new world record and the first sub-four minute mile on New Zealand soil. 15,000 excited spectators sang 'For he's a jolly good fellow'. A statue now stands in Cooks Gardens to commemorate his triumph.

Sir Peter Snell

Sir Peter Snell (1938-2019) was one of the world’s greatest athletes in one of the world’s most admired sports – middle-distance running. In 2000 he was named New Zealand’s Sports Champion of the 20th Century. During his running career he won three Olympic gold medals (at Rome in 1960 and Tokyo in 1964), two British Empire and Commonwealth Games gold medals (at Perth in 1962), and set six world records. In 2002 he was made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to sport, becoming Sir Peter in 2009.

Snell was a pupil of the master coach Arthur Lydiard who was responsible for the finest era in New Zealand athletics from 1951-66.

Design

The tankard features engravings of Snell's likeness and his signature.