Faith Kipyegon missed out on the four-minute mile but broke her own world record as she starred in Breaking4 and Nike’s quest to help the celebrated athlete create history as the first woman to breach the mythical mark.
The event in Paris saw Kipyegon run the mile in an official time of 4:06.42, just over four laps of the track.
The event was inspired by Kipyegon’s compatriot, Eliud Kipchoge, who shattered the two hour barrier in the marathon with a similar experiment, known as Ineos 1:59 Challenge, in Vienna in 2019.
The time will not be recognised as an official record because Kipyegon was assisted by a team of male and female pacemakers and wore technologically advanced kit and shoes at the Nike-sponsored ‘Breaking4’ event.
Kipyegon’s official women’s mile record of 4:07.64, set in July 2023, remains almost five seconds faster than any other female athlete in history has run for the distance.
“I have tried; that is why I was coming here to try to be the first woman to run under 4 minutes, but I have proven it’s possible. I will not lose hope; I will still go for it.” Faith Kipyegon said after the race.
World Athletics hailed the performance, posting: “Chasing history, creating legacy. Still the fastest mile run by a woman in history. Faith Kipyegon gives everything in her quest to break the 4-minute mile and stops the clock at 4:06.42. Thank you, Faith, for making us dream. Maybe not today, but soon.”
Faith Kipyegon now turns her attention to the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo this September, where she will look to further cement her legacy as one of the greatest middle-distance runners of all time.
