Faith Kipyegon’s Bold Pursuit: Breaking the 4-Minute Mile to Inspire the World

Kenya’s track queen, Faith Kipyegon, is poised to make sporting history yet again. Today, June 26, 2025, at the Stade Charléty in Paris, the three-time Olympic champion and multiple world-record holder will attempt what no woman has ever done: run a mile in under four minutes. This milestone, long considered one of the most daunting barriers in middle-distance running, is now within reach—and Kipyegon is daring the world to believe.

Already the world record holder in the 1500 meters (3:49.04) and the mile (4:07.64), Kipyegon’s dominance on the track is unquestionable. With three Olympic gold medals in the 1500m from Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024, she has solidified her status as one of the greatest female athletes of all time. Now, she is turning her focus to an exhibition run that could rewrite the limits of women’s athletics.

“I want to show what’s possible,” Kipyegon said in a press briefing. “People say dare to try—so I’m going to dare to try to be the first woman to run under four minutes in the mile. Not just for myself, but to inspire women and girls across the world.”

The run is part of Nike’s “Breaking4” initiative, modeled after its historic support of Eliud Kipchoge’s sub-two-hour marathon. Like Kipchoge, Kipyegon will have the full force of sports science behind her. She will wear an advanced aerodynamic racing suit fitted with 3D-printed “aeronodes,” Nike’s newest Victory Elite FK spikes, and even a drag-reducing headband. Laser lights will guide pacing on the track, and a handpicked team of pacesetters—male and female—will help her stay on target.

Though this won’t count as an official world record due to the controlled conditions and pacing, it’s a symbolic and scientific leap. Experts have calculated that her optimized setup could see her clock a 3:59.37—fast enough to make her the first woman in history to break the elusive four-minute barrier.

The attempt is more than just a personal challenge. It is a mission shaped by faith, motherhood, and mentorship. Kipyegon credits her coach, Patrick Sang, and fellow Kenyan legend Eliud Kipchoge for guiding her journey. She also draws inspiration from her daughter, Alyn, for whom she hopes to be a role model beyond medals and records.

This event also draws parallels with Roger Bannister’s historic run in 1954, when he became the first man to break the four-minute mile. Now, over 70 years later, Kipyegon stands on the brink of matching that legacy—this time as a woman challenging long-standing limits in a male-dominated benchmark.

While some critics argue that the use of high-tech gear and orchestrated pacing waters down the feat, supporters see it as a natural evolution in elite sport—combining the athlete’s willpower with scientific precision.

Regardless of the outcome, Faith Kipyegon’s attempt is already a victory for women in sport. It marks a turning point where ambition, innovation, and sheer determination converge to expand what’s possible. Whether or not she breaks the barrier this time, the world will be watching—and the next generation of girls will be dreaming bigger because of it.