The goal was to break the 4-minute mile barrier…
Faith Kipyegon didn’t quite break 4, but she still made history once again in Paris, solidifying her status as the most decorated female middle-distance runner of all time.
Clocking in at a blazing 4:06.42, she shaved 1.22 seconds off her own world record in the mile — pushing the boundaries of what many thought was impossible.
“It was tough, but I’m so proud of what I’ve done,” Kipyegon said after the race. “I want to show the world — especially women — that you have to dare to try.”
The run, dubbed her “Breaking4” attempt, was the result of months of preparation in partnership with Nike, her longtime sponsor. Together, they created an environment designed for speed — from aerodynamic gear to a tailor-made race strategy — aimed at helping Faith get as close as possible to the elusive 4-minute barrier.
With lap splits of 1:00.20, 2:00.75, 3:01.84 and a final time of 4:06.42, her performance at Stade Charléty marked a defining moment in women’s athletics. No woman has ever cracked the 4-minute mile, but Faith is now the closest in history.
The effort included Nike’s latest innovations: a custom-built Fly Suit, the 3D-printed FlyWeb Bra, and ultralight Victory Elite FK spikes made to her specs — all part of a broader push to showcase what’s possible when science, sport, and ambition align.
A total of 13 pacers—11 men and 2 women—formed a drafting formation that allowed Faith to conserve energy.
The lead pacer was Elliot Giles, supported by a star-studded group that included:
Grant Fisher (indoor 5,000m world record-holder, USA)
Georgia Hunter Bell (Britain, 1500m Olympic bronze medallist)
Jemma Reekie (Britain, 800m indoor world silver medallist)
Others: Craig Engels, Cooper Teare, Stewart McSweyn, Niels Laros, Halima Nakaayi, Wyclife Kinyamal, Stefan Nillessen, Cathal Doyle
While the time is record-breaking, the message behind it is bigger. Faith’s run wasn’t just about numbers — it was about inspiring athletes around the world to set bold goals and chase them fearlessly.
As Nike’s leadership put it, this was more than a race — it was a symbol of what happens when preparation meets belief, and when a singular talent dares to dream beyond limits.
