Faith Kipyegon Sets Sights On History With Ambitious Sub-Four-Minute Mile Attempt in Paris

On June 26, all eyes will turn to Paris as Faith Kipyegon steps onto the track at Stade Charléty, chasing a milestone never before achieved by a woman: the elusive sub-four-minute mile.

The decorated Kenyan middle-distance runner is no stranger to rewriting history. It was on this very track during the 2023 “Meeting de Paris” Diamond League where she demolished the women’s 1,500-meter world record, clocking an awe-inspiring 3:49.04. Now, she returns with a different goal but the same fire — to become the first woman to break the four-minute barrier in the mile, a feat that has defied generations.

The challenge, dubbed the “Breaking4” project, was announced by Kipyegon in April, and since then, anticipation has been building across the athletics world. Speaking at a rare virtual media session ahead of the race, the 31-year-old shared the deeply personal journey that has led her to this defining moment in her career.

“This is about more than just the clock,” she said, smiling through the screen. “It’s about believing — in yourself, in the process, and in the power of inspiring others. From the days I used to run barefoot as a young girl, to now stepping into these stadiums, that belief has carried me.”

With her signature humility and steely confidence, Kipyegon acknowledged the weight of the moment — but also the significance of her message. If Eliud Kipchoge’s groundbreaking sub-two-hour marathon proved that “No human is limited,” then Kipyegon hopes her attempt sends a resounding message of her own: “What a man can do, a woman can do.”

The mile — a distance rich in history and symbolism — has seen only men breach the four-minute wall since Sir Roger Bannister first did so in 1954. Kipyegon, who currently holds the women’s mile world record at 4:07.64 (set in Monaco in 2023), will need to slash more than seven seconds off that mark. In a race where every tenth of a second matters, it is a towering challenge.

Still, if there is any athlete today capable of such a seismic shift, it’s Kipyegon. The reigning Olympic and world champion in the 1,500m has shown time and again that she thrives under pressure — that the impossible is often just her starting point.

Interestingly, despite the gravity of the upcoming race, she revealed that her training regimen has remained largely unchanged.

“My coach hasn’t really altered much,” she said. “The sessions are the same ones we use to prepare for the Olympics and World Championships. But the mindset going into this is completely different. This is a bold mission, not just a competition.”

With the world watching, Kipyegon isn’t just chasing a time — she’s chasing a moment that could redefine what’s possible for women in sport. And in doing so, she hopes to light a path for the next generation of girls lacing up their running shoes, daring to dream a little bigger.

“I want them to see that it’s okay to believe in crazy dreams,” she said. “To believe that you, too, can make history.”

On June 26, Faith Kipyegon won’t just be running against the clock — she’ll be racing into the pages of history.

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