Faith Kipyegon fell short in her bid to become the first woman in history to run a sub-four-minute mile.
Faith Kipyegon’s daring attempt to become the first woman in history to run a sub-four-minute mile has captured the world’s attention—sparking celebration, inspiration, and debate.
The triple Olympic champion took center stage at Stade Charléty in Paris during the much-anticipated Nike “Breaking4” event on Thursday, June 26. In near-perfect conditions and cheered on by a global audience, Kipyegon clocked an astonishing 4:06.42—just 6.42 seconds shy of her target and faster than her own official world record of 4:07.64 set in 2023.
Despite the mark not being ratified as an official record due to pacemaker support and advanced Nike gear, the run ignited conversations across continents. The 31-year-old Kenyan demonstrated what many called the future of women’s middle-distance running.
Social media exploded with praise and emotional reflections. On Nike’s YouTube livestream, Thulipule from Lesotho encouraged Kipyegon with a reminder from marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge’s own record-breaking journey: “Eliud did not get under two hours in the marathon on his first attempt. He tried again, and it happened. Faith, it’s possible girl. Africa is proud of you.”
Kinga Growski echoed a powerful sentiment many fans shared: “The day a woman runs a sub-four-minute mile, Faith Kipyegon will be mentioned—she paved the way. She’s a giant who’s moved the world closer to a phenomenal feat of strength, endurance, and power.”
At the core of this ambitious attempt was a combination of science, speed, and belief. Kipyegon was equipped with a cutting-edge aerodynamic suit and custom-engineered Nike Victory Elite FK shoes, supported by an elite pacing team of 13 runners. Her pace through the first three laps was on point, but the final lap—where she needed to run under 58 seconds—proved the ultimate test.
Faith Kipyegon #Breaking4
Full race of her 4:06.42 running the fastest EVER woman’s mile by over a second!pic.twitter.com/TYvZ9a8yyl
— Travis Miller (@travismillerx13) June 26, 2025
Still, Kipyegon’s courage to even attempt the feat drew applause far beyond athletics circles. Jill Koenig reflected on the broader message, saying, “Most of us wouldn’t dare chase such a goal on a world stage. Faith did. She’s shown greatness, no matter the time on the clock.”
There were also analytical takes, such as King Gremlin’s historical comparison: “When the men’s record stood at 4:07.6, it took over a decade and nine world records to finally dip under four minutes. Women might need time too—but Faith has already done more with today’s limited margins.”
Globally, the significance of Kipyegon’s effort echoed beyond sport. In Kenya, President William Ruto praised her boldness and drive. “With every stride, you carried the hopes of our nation. You proved that Kenyan greatness knows no limits. Your triumph is historic and inspires us all to run beyond our own boundaries,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Nike, the event’s organizers, highlighted the moment not as a near-miss, but as a milestone. “Faith Kipyegon had the audacity to dream of doing the impossible. She just ran the fastest mile in history by a woman at #Breaking4, pushing the world closer to the 4-minute barrier. It’s not a matter of if—it’s when,” the brand posted on X.
Kipyegon herself remained grounded yet optimistic. After crossing the finish line, she said, “I’m exhausted, I feel tired. I tried to be the fastest woman under four minutes. I’ve proven it’s possible. It’s just a matter of time—if not me, someone else.”
That sentiment of collective ambition and progress was echoed by athletes and fans alike. Many acknowledged Kipyegon’s influence on the sport, with some likening her effort to Roger Bannister’s legendary 1954 run when he first broke the four-minute barrier for men.
And just like Kipchoge’s marathon milestone in Nike’s “Breaking2” project, which took two attempts, there is growing belief that Faith Kipyegon could return stronger. With every stride in Paris, she narrowed the gap, shattered doubt, and stirred imagination.
As the echoes of her performance ripple across the athletics world, one thing remains clear: Kipyegon hasn’t just chased a record—she’s reignited a movement
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