Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon Eyes History as She Takes on the 4-Minute Mile

Kenya’s middle-distance queen, Faith Kipyegon, is back on the global stage, and this time, she’s chasing a record no woman has ever touched: the sub-4-minute mile.

The two-time Olympic champion and multiple world record holder will line up tonight at Stade Charléty in Paris in what could be one of the greatest moments in athletics history. If she pulls it off, Kipyegon won’t just break a record, she’ll break a barrier that has stood for over 60 years.

Kipyegon already holds the women’s mile world record at 4:07.64. To go under four minutes, she must shave off more than seven seconds. In distance running, that’s huge, but if anyone can do it, it’s her.

This attempt is part of Nike’s “Breaking4” project, inspired by Eliud Kipchoge’s iconic sub-two-hour marathon in 2019. Just like Kipchoge, Kipyegon will be backed by serious science and strategy.

She will run behind a rotating group of male pacemakers, carefully placed to block wind and help her maintain a fast and steady pace.

She’ll also be wearing custom-built Nike spikes with carbon plates, super light, super responsive, designed to return energy with every step. Her racing outfit is also aerodynamic, helping her cut through the air just a little bit faster.

Sports scientist Dr. Andy Jones, the man who worked with Kipchoge, is part of the team behind Kipyegon’s preparation.

According to him, Faith ticks every box: top-level endurance, efficient stride, and a strong kick for the final lap. But it all comes down to execution.

To break four minutes, she must run each lap in under 60 seconds. There’s no room for error. The pacers, timing, and even the weather have to align. Tonight’s conditions in Paris are ideal, cool, clear, and calm.

The Stade Charléty track holds special memories for Kipyegon. It’s where she set the 5,000m world record in 2023. That familiarity could give her an extra edge when it matters most.

Breaking four minutes is more than just a time goal, it’s a statement. For decades, the 4-minute mile has been a benchmark in men’s athletics. Roger Bannister broke it in 1954. But no woman has ever done it.

Kipyegon’s attempt is about changing that, and showing just how far women’s running has come.

Speaking earlier this week, the 30-year-old from Bomet was calm and focused. “There are no barriers,” she said. “Only belief and preparation.”

If she succeeds, she will etch her name even deeper into the history books, not just as Kenya’s greatest female runner, but as one of the sport’s all-time greats. Even if she falls just short, the attempt itself will inspire a generation.

Either way, tonight, the whole world, African and every Kenya, will be watching.

By Fauxile Kibet. 

Fauxile Kibet is a journalist based in Nairobi.