NAIROBI, Kenya — Faith Kipyegon, Kenya’s middle-distance marvel and three-time Olympic gold medallist, is preparing to chase the impossible—again.
This time, it’s a sub-four-minute mile. And if she pulls it off, she’ll become the first woman in history to do so.
Nike has confirmed that the audacious challenge, dubbed Nike Breaking4, will take place between June 26 and 28, 2025, at Stade Sébastien Charléty in Paris—the same track where Kipyegon shattered both the 1,500m and 5,000m world records in 2023.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just a race. It’s a moment. A moonshot. A crack at rewriting human potential—again.
A Sub-Four-Minute Mile? Faith Kipyegon Says, “Why Not?”
Kipyegon already owns the women’s mile world record at 4:07.64, set during the Monaco Diamond League in 2023.
Now, she’ll attempt to cut nearly eight seconds off that time—an eternity in elite track terms. And yet, she’s approaching it with the confidence of a champion who’s already conquered every mountain in her path.
“I’m a three-time Olympic champion. I’ve achieved World Championship titles. I thought, What else? Why not dream outside the box?” Kipyegon said.
According to Seema Simmons, Nike’s VP of Global Women’s Running, this attempt isn’t just about records—it’s about redefining what women’s sport can look like. “Whether or not she breaks the barrier, her determination will inspire generations,” Simmons said.
Even sports scientists are backing her. With ideal conditions, expert pacing, and a touch of magic, Kipyegon could do what was once thought impossible.
Just like Eliud Kipchoge’s sub-two-hour marathon in 2019, Faith’s attempt will lean on optimal conditions and precise strategy to make history.
A Record Decades in the Making
The idea of a sub-four-minute mile has long been a distant dream in women’s athletics. While men have been breaking the barrier since Roger Bannister famously did it in 1954, the women’s mile has evolved more cautiously.
The closest predecessor to Kipyegon’s feat came in 1989, when Romanian Paula Ivan clocked 4:15.61.
That time stood untouched for 30 years before Sifan Hassan posted a 4:12.33 in 2019. Then Kipyegon came storming in and obliterated the mark with a blazing 4:07.64 performance.
But now? She’s aiming to shave off another chunk—into the realm of the unthinkable.
And while this attempt may be her last dance in the 1500m scene, it could be a symbolic passing of the baton. Kipyegon has hinted at a transition to longer distances, possibly the 10,000m, as age and endurance take over from speed and agility.
The Final Chapter or Just Another Beginning?
Whether or not Kipyegon breaks the four-minute barrier, one thing is certain: she’s already in a league of her own.
But this challenge feels different. It’s more than medals. More than glory. It’s a chance to do something no woman has ever done—and maybe won’t do again for generations.
“If you believe in yourself, and your team believes in you, you can do it,” Kipyegon said—echoing the mindset that’s carried her to the pinnacle of global athletics.
With the world watching, with Nike betting big, and with history on the line, Faith Kipyegon is about to attempt the impossible—again.
