Nike-backed runner Faith Kipyegon comes up short in 4-minute mile bid

Faith Kipyegon, a Kenyan runner, recorded the fastest women’s mile in history on Thursday, but she missed the legendary four-minute mark by more than six seconds.

In 4 minutes, 06.42 seconds, Kipyeon completed four laps of the Stade Charl otte track in Paris. Nike provided broad support for the bold endeavor, collaborating with Kipyegon on all aspects of the race, including creating a custom running gear and track spikes for her. The endeavor was called Breaking4 by the firm.

After the race, Kipyegon declared that she would keep aiming for the barrier because it is within her reach.

“It’s just a question of time,” she stated. It will be someone else if it isn’t me.

Elliott Hill, the company’s first-year CEO, made the effort as part of his efforts to concentrate the business on sports and win back the trust of regular runners, many of whom switched to rival brands in recent years while Nike promoted throwback sneakers.

It is also a component of a continuous endeavor to regain the patronage of women. John Hoke, Nike’s chief innovation officer, recently told Reuters that the corporation has quadrupled its commitment in studying the anatomy and biodynamics of female athletes. Nike began by conducting research on women before launching a new range of running shoes late last year.

Kipyegon, 31, has won three gold medals in the Olympics in the 1,500-meter event. She established the women’s world record in the mile in 2023 with a time of 4:07.64.

There was disagreement among experts on her ability to surpass the four-minute limit.

Track and field greats Keely Hodgkinson, Eliud Kipchoge, Carl Lewis, and Diljeet Taylor were among the tiny group of spectators that watched Kipyegon run.

Lewis, a nine-time Olympic gold medalist, stated that this is an occasion that people will remember for years to come.

At Stade Charlety in Paris on Thursday, June 26, 2025, Kenyan athlete Faith Kipyegon rests on the track after crossing the finish line in her effort to become the first woman to run a mile in less than four minutes.Photo by Christopher Ena/AP

According to experts, Nike’s collaboration with Kipyegon included the finest strategy for cutting seconds off her time: drafting behind pacesetters. In addition to pace lights set to the four-minute pace, she ran with thirteen pacesetters.

At a press conference following the race, Kipyegon praised Nike’s efforts, saying, “The team gave everything to make this day so perfect.”

According to Nike vice president Amy Jones Vaterlus, who is in charge of the company’s research lab, “We gave Faith everything we possibly had.” Faith gave us her best, and I knew we gave her ours.

Due to the pacesetters and the fact that it was not a part of an official track meet, Kipyegon’s time will not be considered a new world record.

The Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, where Kipyegon will compete in the 1,500-meter race on Saturday, July 5, is her next official competition.

Even though she lost, the guests applauded the bid.

According to Taylor, the 2024 NCAA women’s track coach of the year, “what we’re seeing tonight is someone who’s trying to remove the ceiling.”

On Thursday, June 26, 2025, Faith Kipyegon of Kenya races at Stade Charlety in Paris in an effort to become the first female runner to complete a mile in less than four minutes.Photo by Christopher Ena/AP

According to Kipchoge, Kipyegon’s friend and training partner who broke the two-hour mark in the marathon, she is one among the women who dare to try. Goal-oriented folks are what we need.

Prior to Thursday’s attempt, Kipyegon expressed her hope that it will motivate others, particularly young female runners. After Thursday’s attempt, she repeated that message.

She added that in order to achieve our goals, we must push ourselves. The purpose of this race was to demonstrate to the world that we must challenge ourselves.