Kenyan long distance star Faith Kipyegon came short in her bid to become the first woman in history to run a sub-four minute mile, after clocking a time of four minutes, 06.42 seconds in clear conditions at Stade Charlety in Paris on Thursday, Afrosport reports
While the time was 1.22 seconds faster than her world record, it will not be recognised as an official record as Kipyegon was assisted by technologically advanced kits made by American sportswear giant Nike, who sponsored the event called ‘Breaking4’. She was also aided by a team of male and female pacemakers.
Kipyegon holds the official women’s mile record of four minutes, 07.64 seconds, set in July 2023 in Monaco.
The 31-year-old is not giving up on her attempt and has vowed to try again in future.
“I have proven that it is possible, it is only a matter of time. If it is not me, it will be somebody else,” Kipyegon said.
“I will not lose hope, I will still go for it. I hope I will get it one day.”
She also encouraged younger female athletes to not give up on their best.
“I will tell them we are not limited. We can limit ourselves with thoughts, but it is possible to try everything and prove to the world that we are strong. Keep pushing,” she added.
Faith Kipyegon had the audacity to dream of doing the impossible.
The fastest woman to ever run the mile just ran it faster at #Breaking4, pushing the world closer to the 4-minute barrier.
It’s not a matter of if a woman will break 4, it’s when. pic.twitter.com/DbQ5RNgwd4
— Nike (@Nike) June 26, 2025
Kipyegon is the current world record holder in the women’s 1500 metres and previously held the world record in the 5000 metres discipline.
She is the only athlete to have three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the 1500 metres in 2016, 2020 and 2024.
She is also a three-time gold medalist in the same discipline at the 2017, 2022 and 2023 World Athletics Championships, as well as four Diamond League gold medals (2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024).
