The Iffley Road running track is famous around the world for Sir Roger Bannister’s record-breaking four-minute mile in 1954 but now high-tech robots have taken to the starting blocks as part of an annual science festival.
The IF Oxford Science and Ideas Festival is an independent charity which runs a programme of talks and activities that aim to promote public interest in all things scientific across the city.
The month-long programme culminated at the 400m circuit at Oxford University which was the venue for the ground-breaking athletic feat as the neurologist became the first person ever to run a mile in under four minutes.
READ MORE: Analysis of Liam Manning’s time in charge of Oxford United
High-tech robots took to the tracks on Sunday, October 29 as children controlled mini robots to race against each other as bigger machines tackled an obstacle course on the track.
Scientists and engineers from the UK Atomic Energy Authority and Oxfordshire Advanced Skills were also on hand at the track to answer questions and show that playing Jenga is a useful skill when working on fusion machines.
The programme covers every imaginable area of science and culture, from animal-inspired robotics to new medicines or forms of sustainable energy,
Public engagement with content through the IF Oxford platform connects 500 contributors and tens of thousands of visitors each year, reaching over 1m social media users annually.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here