Book excerpt: Summary: "World-class athletics was something that happened overseas, not in Australia. But on 13 December 1952, all that changed when John Landy ran a mile at Melbourne?s Olympic Park in 4:02.1. In those few minutes, Landy re-ignited the race for the sub-four minute mile and inspired a generation of Australian athletes to challenge the world at distances from 880 yards to the marathon. Urged on by influential coaches Percy Cerutty and Franz Stampfl, Landy and his distance running mates including Les Perry, Dave Stephens, Al Lawrence, Dave Power, Don Macmillan, Herb Elliott, Albie Thomas, Ron Clarke, Ralph Doubell and Derek Clayton brought Australia international fame and success on the track, including Olympic gold. In a few short years, Landy led Australia from nowhere to the top of the world."--Publisher description.