Faith Kipyegon, the reigning queen of middle-distance running, is chasing a milestone that has long been out of reach: the first sub-4 minute mile by a woman. The attempt, set for June 26 at Stade Charléty in Paris, is being supported by Nike as part of a campaign they’re calling “Breaking4.”
Kipyegon, 30, already holds world records in both the 1,500 meters and the mile (4:07.64). To break the barrier, she’ll need to cut over seven seconds off that mark – a massive margin at the elite level. But for an athlete who’s already rewritten the record books, it’s not out of the question.
To maximise her chances, Nike is working closely with Kipyegon on everything from gear and training to race-day conditions. The project echoes the brand’s earlier Breaking2 effort with Eliud Kipchoge, but this time the focus is on a barrier that women have been edging toward for decades.
For Kipyegon, the attempt is more than just a shot at history. As a mother and three-time Olympic champion, she says she’s motivated by the message it sends. “If you believe in yourself, and your team believes in you, you can do it,” she says. “Why not dream outside the box?”
Breaking the 4-minute barrier is Kipyegon’s ‘moonshot,’ Nike reports. Whether or not the record falls in Paris, Kipyegon’s effort is likely to redefine the limits of women’s distance running – and inspire a new generation to chase the seemingly impossible.
