Faith Kipyegon is once again chasing history. The world-renowned Kenyan middle-distance runner is aiming to become the first woman ever to run a mile in under four minutes—a barrier long considered impossible in women’s athletics.
To add to the significance of the moment, American tech entrepreneur and sports investor Alexis Ohanian has pledged a staggering Ksh 12.9 million ($100,000) should Kipyegon succeed in her mission. The announcement, shared across social platforms, underlines not only his confidence in Kipyegon’s capabilities but also his commitment to elevating women in sports.
The record-breaking attempt, titled Breaking4: Faith Kipyegon vs. the 4-Minute Mile, is set to take place on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at Stade Charléty in Paris, France. The event is designed with one goal in mind: creating perfect conditions to help Kipyegon break through the iconic barrier.
Currently holding the women’s world mile record at 4:07.64—set in 2023—Kipyegon would need to slash an astonishing 7.65 seconds off her best to dip under the four-minute mark. While that feat might sound improbable, Kipyegon has continually redefined what is possible in her career, boasting multiple Olympic and World titles in both the 1500m and 5000m.
The event will feature male pacemakers and advanced gear, optimized to give Kipyegon every advantage. Though the presence of pacers and a controlled race setting means the run won’t be eligible for official record status, its symbolic value is monumental. Much like Roger Bannister’s historic sub-4-minute mile for men in 1954, Kipyegon’s attempt seeks to inspire generations and redefine limits in women’s sport.
Backed by global brand Nike, the run will be live-streamed around the world on platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Amazon Prime Video. It’s scheduled to start at 7:15 p.m. CEST (8:15 p.m. East African Time), offering a prime-time spectacle for global athletics fans.
Ohanian’s involvement is about more than just the money. A longtime supporter of women’s athletics, he has championed causes from equal pay to investment in female-led sports ventures. His track record includes founding investment in Angel City FC, one of the National Women’s Soccer League’s most successful teams, and a recent multimillion-pound stake in Chelsea Women’s Football Club.
He also created Athlos, a track and field series exclusively for women, designed to offer greater exposure and bigger prize purses. Through Athlos, he continues to push for fairness, visibility, and respect for female athletes globally.
The pledge to Faith Kipyegon is part of this broader mission—to not only cheer from the sidelines but to actively invest in rewriting the narrative around women’s sport. As Kipyegon prepares to take her mark in Paris, she does so with the hopes of a continent and the encouragement of a world watching to see if she can conquer what no woman has before.
If successful, her feat will not only be a new high in her decorated career but a moment that changes the trajectory of women’s distance running forever.
