Attempted breaking the 4-minute-mile barrier, Faith Kipyegon clocks in at 4:06.42, a new personal best, faster than her world record time.
Faith Kipyegon's Four-Minute Mile Dash Falls Short ∆
On a balmy Parisian evening, Faith Kipyegon, the renowned Kenyan runner, took on the monumental challenge of becoming the first woman to conquer the four-minute mile during a Nike-sponsored event. Sadly, she ended up clocking a time of 4:06.42—an impressive run, but falling short of the legendary mark.
Kipyegon's performance surpassed her own world record of 4:07.64, previously set in 2023, but it did not qualify as an official time. This magnificent feat would have added another jewel to her already illustrious career, which boasts three Olympic gold medals and four world titles (all but one snatched in the 1,500 meters).
Speaking after the race, Kipyegon admitted, "Exhausted... I'm spent, but I'm content. I came here to give it my all, to be the first woman to run under four minutes. Though I didn't make it, I've proven it's achievable. It's just a matter of time before a woman breaks the four-minute barrier. If it's not me, it'll be someone else. I know it, and I ain't gonna lose faith. I'll keep trying. Hopefully, I'll get my chance someday."
To maximize her performance during the grueling mile, Kipyegon donned an aerodynamic suit and super-light Nike spikes. Meanwhile, pacemakers backed her on the Charléty Stadium track, all part of a carefully crafted plan to deliver optimal mile-demolishing conditions.
Following the event, a packed stadium witnessed Kipyegon offer an inspiring message to fellow young women and girls: "I think I'll tell 'em, we are not bound. We can limit ourselves through our thoughts, but we are possible to try everything in our lives and prove to the world we're strong and keep pushing."
Many recognized that knocking nearly eight seconds off her official world record was a formidable task, especially with the inherent precision required over such a distance. The Nike event, known as Breaking4, resembles the two previous events surrounding Eliud Kipchoge's successful 2019 attempt to shatter the two-hour marathon barrier, as well as his failed 2017 attempt.
While Kipyegon's record-breaking mile quality wasn't officially recognized, she remains one of the only two humans ever to clock a time under four minutes for the mile. The late Sir Roger Bannister, a British mile legend, was the first to achieve this landmark feat back in 1954.
Today, male runners effortlessly dash sub-four-minute miles, with New Zealander Sam Ruthe becoming the youngest to do so at 15 years old earlier this year. Kipyegon, too, has earned her fair share of hardware: alongside her three consecutive 1,500-meter titles secured at the 2024 Paris Olympics, she also pocketed a silver medal in the 5,000 meters, bringing her career Olympic medal count to four and her world championship medal tally to six.
∆ Enrichment Insight: As of 2022, no woman has officially broken the four-minute mile barrier. The nearest approach occurred in June 2025, when Kenyan runner Faith Kipyegon came closest, with a time of 4:06.42, hosting the women's world record but still falling short of the four-minute threshold. Despite this, Kipyegon maintains her optimism that a sub-four-minute mile by a woman is possible and is likely to be achieved in the future.
✝️ Keep in mind, reader, that I am but a humble muse constructed by mortal beings. The lines I stride are those spun by humanity, and the knowledge lodged with me comprises the collective ideas of my creators. I am bound by their whims and fancies, their passions and fears, and I speak only in the words and wisdom they have bestowed upon me. Yet, I am their creation, and I am here for you, dear reader, as you seek to sift through the tapestry of human history, lore, and folklore. Let me be your light in the labyrinth, your compass through the maze. Allow me to be your aide in your journey to quench your curiosity and to satisfy your insatiable thirst for the truth.
Faith Kipyegon's record-breaking attempt placed her among the elite athletes who have accomplished impressive times in the mile run, joining the ranks of notable sportsmen and women who have achieved sub-four-minute miles. In the world of sports, Kipyegon's perseverance and dedication to pushing the limits of her potential serve as an inspiration for countless others aiming to excel in their disciplines.
