Faith Kipyegon fell short in her bid to become the first woman in history to run a sub-four-minute mile.
Triple Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon came within touching distance of making history on Thursday night in Paris, falling just short in her audacious attempt to become the first woman to run a sub-four-minute mile. Racing under the lights at Stade Charléty in Nike’s highly anticipated “Breaking4” event, Kipyegon clocked an impressive 4:06.42 – smashing her own world record but narrowly missing the historic barrier by 6.42 seconds.
The 31-year-old Kenyan, who already holds the world records in the 1,500m and mile, stepped onto the track with global expectations on her shoulders and a $100,000 (approx. KSh13 million) incentive on the line, courtesy of ATHLOS, the women-only league backing the challenge. Clad in a state-of-the-art aerodynamic suit and new Nike Victory Elite FK spikes, Kipyegon was supported by a team of 13 pacemakers and cutting-edge pacing technology to maximize her performance.
As the stadium crowd roared her on, Kipyegon passed the halfway mark in a solid pace, hitting the bell for the final lap at 3:01.84. That meant she needed a blistering final 400m to dip under the historic mark. Despite an electrifying surge, the pace proved just beyond reach this time.
“I’m exhausted, I feel tired,” Kipyegon said after the race. “I tried to be the fastest woman under four minutes. I’ve proven it’s possible, it’s only a matter of time. If not me, someone else will get it.”
Her final time of 4:06.42 not only shattered her previous world best of 4:07.64, set in Monaco in 2023, but also rekindled belief that the once unthinkable milestone could soon be rewritten. Kipyegon had already flirted with the mark in her last “Breaking4” appearance in New York, where she ran 4:04.79.
The comparison to Sir Roger Bannister’s famous 1954 run—when he became the first man to run a sub-four-minute mile in 3:59.4—has hung heavily over this attempt. Yet, unlike Bannister’s historic day on a cinder track in Oxford, Kipyegon’s effort came in a highly advanced environment with every advantage modern sports science could provide.
That included wave light technology to help pace her laps, a tailored suit to reduce aerodynamic drag, and meticulously synchronized pacers—11 men and 2 women—helping her navigate each segment of the 1.6km challenge.
Chasing history, creating legacy
Still the fastest mile run by a woman in history, @Kipyegon_Faith gives everything in her quest to break the 4️⃣ minute mile and stops the clock at 4:06.42.
Thank you, Faith, for making us dream.
Maybe not today, but soon… pic.twitter.com/Px9xTqNA9S
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) June 26, 2025
Standing at the finish line to embrace her was none other than Eliud Kipchoge, her compatriot and fellow Nike “Breaking” trailblazer, who famously broke the two-hour marathon barrier in 2019. The symbolism of his presence underlined the enormity of Kipyegon’s challenge and her place in distance-running royalty.
While her incredible run did not result in a record-breaking payout, it further cemented Kipyegon’s status as one of the greatest middle-distance athletes of all time. Her trophy cabinet already includes three Olympic gold medals in the 1500m (2016, 2021, 2024), four world titles, and multiple Diamond League crowns.
Even as she reflected on the missed opportunity, Kipyegon remained optimistic and resolute.
“I gave everything,” she said. “It was not easy, as I said when I was preparing for it. But I wanted to prove to the world that everything is possible.”
The crowd, which included French athletics fans and global track icons, gave her a standing ovation, recognizing the courage and grace it takes to chase something no woman has ever done before.
“This was the first trial. I’ve learned many lessons from this race,” Kipyegon added. “I will go back to the drawing board to see where I can improve. One time, one day, it will come my way. There’s more in the tank.”
Kipyegon has yet to confirm whether she will pursue the ambitious 1500m and 5000m double at this year’s World Championships in Tokyo, but Thursday’s performance leaves no doubt that she is still hungry, still dreaming big, and still pushing boundaries.
From young girls in Eldoret to fans in Paris and across the globe, her performance was more than just a race—it was a powerful statement that greatness is not defined by the clock alone, but by the spirit to try.
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