His personal best for the mile , 3 : 56.4 , was run at his birthplace , Tempe , Arizona on March 16 , 1974 .
Cummings was the first runner from the Intermountain West to break the Four - minute mile barrier .
Cummings ' personal best for the mile , 3 : 56.4 , was run at his birthplace , Tempe , Arizona on March 16 , 1974 .
Cummings was the first runner from the Intermountain West to break the Four - minute mile barrier .