The four-minute mile has long stood as one of the most iconic and challenging benchmarks in the world of athletics. For decades, it was considered an impossible feat for any human, until Sir Roger Bannister famously broke it for men in 1954.
For women, the barrier has remained unbreached, a testament to the sheer physical and mental demands of running 1,609 meters in under 240 seconds. On Thursday, June 26, 2025, in the vibrant city of Paris, France, all eyes were on Faith Kipyegon, the formidable three-time Olympic champion and reigning world record holder in the women’s mile. She embarked on a highly anticipated quest to become the first woman in history to shatter this monumental barrier.
Kipyegon, a celebrated long-distance runner from Kenya, took to the track at Stade Charléty for a special event dubbed “Breaking4: Faith Kipyegon vs. the 4-Minute Mile.” This Nike-sponsored showcase was designed specifically to facilitate her attempt at making history. While the outcome saw her fall just short of her ambitious goal, her performance was nothing short of remarkable. Kipyegon clocked a time of 4 minutes, 06.42 seconds. Although this time was faster than her own official world record of 4:07.64, it will not be formally recognized by the international federation, World Athletics.
This is due to the unofficial nature of the event, which utilized an extensive team of pacemakers. Despite not achieving the sub-four-minute mark, Kipyegon’s courageous attempt and impressive speed underscore her unparalleled dominance in middle-distance running and her relentless pursuit of pushing the boundaries of human performance. The running world watched in awe as she pushed herself to the absolute limit on that balmy summer evening.
The Anatomy of an Attempt: Conditions and Strategy
Every world record attempt is a meticulously planned endeavor, and Faith Kipyegon’s “Breaking4” challenge was no exception. To give her the best possible chance at achieving the seemingly impossible, organizers created highly optimized conditions and employed a strategic pacing plan.
Ideal Conditions in Paris
The setting for Kipyegon’s historic bid was Stade Charléty in Paris, a familiar and successful venue for the Kenyan superstar. It was on this very track that she had previously shattered her own 1,500-meter world record just a month before her sub-four-minute mile attempt, demonstrating her comfort and speed on its surface.
The conditions on the day of the attempt were largely favorable, designed to minimize any external hindrances. It was a balmy summer’s evening, with the temperature hovering around 25°C (77°F). This warm but not excessively hot temperature is generally conducive to strong athletic performance, ensuring muscles are warm and flexible.
Crucially, there was also limited wind, a vital factor in middle and long-distance running where aerodynamic drag can significantly impact performance. Even slight headwinds can add precious seconds to a runner’s time. The absence of strong gusts was a deliberate environmental advantage. The event, while unofficial, drew a considerable crowd of a few thousand people. Their enthusiastic presence created an electrifying atmosphere, providing crucial psychological motivation for Kipyegon as she pushed through the grueling four laps. The combination of a world-class track, near-perfect weather, and an engaged audience provided an optimal environment for a record-breaking performance.
The Role of Elite Pacemakers
A critical component of Kipyegon’s attempt, and indeed many record attempts in modern athletics, was the strategic use of pacemakers, often informally referred to as “rabbits.” These are highly skilled runners whose sole purpose is to set and maintain a specific pace for the primary athlete, helping them hit target split times and providing aerodynamic drafting benefits. For her “Breaking4” attempt, Kipyegon utilized an extensive team of 13 elite pacesetters. This large crew was meticulously assembled, consisting of 11 men and two women. They were strategically positioned both in front of and behind her throughout the race.
The primary benefit of having pacemakers in front is to reduce drag. By running closely behind another athlete, a runner experiences less air resistance, conserving precious energy. The theoretical benefits of drafting were a key consideration, with research suggesting that optimal pacing and drafting could potentially enable a sub-3:59 mile for Kipyegon.
The pacemakers running behind Kipyegon, while seemingly counterintuitive, also served a purpose, likely related to maintaining a consistent pace and potentially offering mental support or ensuring a consistent ‘bubble’ of reduced air resistance. However, despite this elaborate support system, Kipyegon appeared to struggle midway through the race. This indicated that even with optimal pacing and drafting, achieving the sub-four-minute mile required an extraordinary physiological effort.
The reliance on such a large and varied pacing team also explains why her phenomenal time of 4:06.42 will not be officially ratified as a new world record by World Athletics, as official records typically require fair competition without such extensive direct pacing.
The Result: Close, Yet Unofficial
Despite the meticulous planning and Kipyegon’s undeniable talent, the sub-four-minute barrier proved elusive on this particular evening. Her performance, while not leading to an official world record, was still historically significant.
Falling Short of the Goal
Faith Kipyegon’s final time of 4 minutes, 06.42 seconds was remarkably fast. To truly appreciate the scale of her ambition, it’s essential to understand the target. To achieve the sub-four-minute feat (3:59.99 or faster), Kipyegon would have needed to shave off at least 7.65 seconds from her existing world record of 4:07.64. This translates to running each of her four laps on the 400-meter track an average of about two seconds faster than her previous record-setting pace. While she maintained a strong pace through the first half, hitting 400m in 1:00.20 and 800m in 2:00.75, she was slightly behind the goal pace needed to break four minutes.
As the race progressed into the third lap, Kipyegon visibly began to struggle midway through the race. Her fatigue started to show, and despite the continuous efforts of her pacemakers, she couldn’t maintain the blistering pace required. She hit the bell for the final lap in 3:01.84, meaning she would have needed an astonishing final lap of under 58 seconds to achieve her goal. She dug deep, completing the final 400 meters in 64.58 seconds, but it wasn’t enough to bridge the gap.
Upon reaching the finish line, Kipyegon looked utterly exhausted. She immediately fell on her back, a clear indication of the immense physical exertion she had endured in her valiant attempt. She was promptly surrounded by photographers, capturing the raw emotion of her effort. Her expression, though fatigued, also conveyed the immense effort and determination that went into this monumental attempt.
Unofficial, But Still Fastest
While her time of 4:06.42 was an extraordinary display of speed, it will not be recognized by the international federation, World Athletics, as an official world record. The reason lies in the event’s designation as “unofficial” and its specific setup.
World Athletics has strict rules for record ratification, which typically require a certain number of “bona fide competitors” in a race. In this “Breaking4” event, Kipyegon was effectively the only athlete truly competing, supported by pacemakers whose primary function was to aid her record attempt rather than race for a win themselves. Furthermore, the extensive use of 11 male and two female pacemakers, specifically employed to reduce aerodynamic drag for the entire distance, falls outside the parameters for official world record attempts where pacing is typically more limited or less direct.
Despite this technicality, Kipyegon’s 4:06.42 remains the fastest mile ever run by a woman, surpassing her own recognized world record of 4:07.64, which she set nearly two years prior during a Diamond League meet in Monaco. This means that while it won’t appear in the official record books as a new mark, it stands as a testament to her current unparalleled speed and potential.
As Carl Lewis, the legendary nine-time Olympic gold medalist, eloquently put it, “The 4-minute mile is a wall right now, and she knocked some bricks out.” This unofficial record signifies that the sub-four-minute barrier is becoming increasingly within reach for female athletes, with Kipyegon leading the charge. Her attempt showcased the physiological possibilities and reignited the conversation about the evolving standards of women’s middle-distance running.
Faith Kipyegon’s Legacy: A History of Breaking Barriers
Faith Kipyegon’s audacious attempt to break the four-minute mile is but one chapter in a career already brimming with groundbreaking achievements. Her journey is defined by consistent excellence and a relentless pursuit of new benchmarks.
Olympic and World Championship Dominance
At 31 years old, Faith Kipyegon has cemented her status as one of the greatest middle-distance runners of all time. Her illustrious career is highlighted by an unprecedented level of Olympic and World Championship dominance in the 1,500-meter event, her signature discipline. Kipyegon has clinched three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the 1,500 meters, a truly rare feat in athletics. Her victories span the Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021), and Paris 2024 Olympic Games, showcasing her remarkable longevity and ability to perform at the highest level across multiple Olympic cycles.
Beyond the Olympics, Kipyegon has also secured multiple World Championship titles in the 1,500 meters, further solidifying her reign. Her exceptional consistency and ability to deliver under pressure make her a formidable competitor in any major championship race. These accolades underscore her tactical prowess, blistering finishing speed, and incredible endurance, all qualities that made her attempt at the four-minute mile so compelling. She truly is a once-in-a-generation talent, consistently rewriting the record books and inspiring aspiring athletes worldwide.
Setting and Breaking World Records
Kipyegon’s career is not just about medals; it’s also about pushing the absolute limits of human performance by setting and breaking world records. Before her recent “Breaking4” attempt, Kipyegon was already the official women’s mile world record holder with a time of 4:07.64. This record was achieved nearly two years ago, in July 2023, during a Diamond League meet in Monaco, a testament to her consistent pursuit of faster times.
Moreover, Kipyegon has consistently redefined what’s possible in the 1,500 meters. Just a month before her sub-four-minute mile attempt, she broke her own 1,500-meter world record on the very same track at Stade Charléty in Paris where her mile attempt took place. Her current 1500m world record stands at 3:49.04, a mark that few believed possible for a woman just a few years ago.
In addition to these middle-distance feats, she has also held the 5,000-meter world record for a period, showcasing her incredible range and versatility across different distances. The presence of her fellow Kenyan runner, longtime friend, and training partner Eliud Kipchoge, a marathon legend who successfully broke the two-hour marathon barrier in an unofficial event, further underscored the ambition and inspiration behind Kipyegon’s own barrier-breaking attempt. Her journey is one of continuous improvement, challenging conventional limits, and inspiring others to dare greatly.
The Future: What’s Next for the Sub-Four-Minute Mile?
Faith Kipyegon’s attempt, while unsuccessful in officially breaking the four-minute mile, has undoubtedly moved the goalposts for women’s distance running. Her performance sparks crucial conversations about the future of the event and the physiological potential of female athletes.
The Unbroken Barrier and Future Attempts
The four-minute mile for women remains an unbroken barrier, a true Everest in athletics. Faith Kipyegon’s time of 4:06.42, while unofficial, is now the fastest ever recorded, demonstrating that the mark is far from impossible. It signifies that the physiological capabilities of female athletes continue to evolve, and with advancements in training, nutrition, and even shoe technology, the seemingly insurmountable may soon become achievable. Kipyegon herself, despite her exhaustion at the finish line, voiced her determination:
“I tried… I tried to be the first woman to run under four minutes. It’s only a matter of time before it happens – if not me, then maybe someone else. I will not lose hope; I will still go for it.” Her words embody the spirit of a true champion, unwilling to be deterred by a single setback.
The impact of her attempt extends beyond her individual performance. It serves as a powerful inspiration for other elite female middle-distance runners worldwide. The sight of Kipyegon pushing so close to the barrier will undoubtedly motivate her competitors to intensify their training and set their sights on this historic mark. The collective effort to break this barrier is now more tangible than ever. Discussions about future attempts will inevitably consider the role of technology, pacing strategies, and optimal race conditions. While official records require specific competitive environments, exhibition attempts like “Breaking4” provide invaluable insights and demonstrate the potential, keeping the dream alive.
Evolution of Records and Recognition
Faith Kipyegon’s unofficial 4:06.42 mile also raises important questions about the evolution of athletic records and their recognition. In a sport where technological advancements and specialized event formats are increasingly common, the rules governing record ratification face scrutiny.
While the strictures of World Athletics are designed to ensure fairness and comparability across different eras and competitions, some argue that these rules may need to adapt to acknowledge extraordinary feats performed under unique, yet optimized, conditions. The distinction between an “official” world record set in a standard competitive race and an “unofficial” fastest time achieved in a highly controlled, record-attempt-specific event becomes a focal point.
The debate draws parallels with Eliud Kipchoge’s sub-two-hour marathon in the INEOS 1:59 Challenge, an event similarly designed for a single athlete to break a barrier with extensive pacing support. While Kipchoge’s 1:59:40 was not recognized as an official world record, it undeniably proved the physiological possibility of a sub-two-hour marathon and inspired a new generation of marathoners. Kipyegon’s mile attempt holds similar significance for women’s running.
It pushes the boundaries of what is believed possible and sets a new de facto benchmark for women to chase. As the sport continues to evolve, the conversations around official recognition, the impact of pacing, and the role of specialized events will likely become more prominent, influencing how future generations view and pursue groundbreaking athletic achievements. Faith Kipyegon, regardless of official ratification, has undeniably etched her name further into history.
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