Marcus O'Sullivan moved still closer to membership of one of the elite clubs in international sport by running his 99th sub four-minute mile in Haverford, Pennyslvania when he clocked three minutes 58.5 seconds in an indoor race. Now he needs just one more to join John Walker of New Zealand and American Steve Scott in celebrating 100 conquests of the challenge that once intimidated all but the most intrepid.

O'Sullivan hopes to achieve the coveted century of sub four-minute times in the Wannamaker mile at Madison Square Garden, New York, on February 13th when the opposition will include William Kiptanui of Kenya, a former Olympic champion, and the American indoor title-holder, Steve Holman.