Faith Kipyegon is set to attempt a historic athletic feat by becoming the first woman to run a mile in under four minutes. The event will take place at the Stade Sebastien Charlety in Paris, the same venue where Kipyegon broke world records in the 1,500m and 5,000m events in 2023. This highly anticipated attempt is designed with meticulous detail, similar to Eliud Kipchoge’s iconic Breaking2 marathon project. It will feature precision pacing, a carefully conditioned track, and specially designed Nike footwear and gear.
Kipyegon will need to shave a significant 7.65 seconds off her current world record to make history. Supporting her in this ambitious goal is a formidable team of 12 pacemakers drawn from the elite echelons of global middle-distance running. These pacers include Olympic finalists, world champions, and Diamond League winners, each chosen for their speed, experience, and ability to maintain a consistent pace.
Among them is Niels Laros of the Netherlands, a Paris 2024 Olympic finalist and World U20 record holder, with a mile personal best of 3:48.93. American Grant Fisher, a two-time Olympic bronze medalist and national record holder in the 5,000m and 10,000m, brings depth and endurance to the pacing team. Craig Engels, also from the USA, adds his mile best of 3:51.60 to the lineup.
Australian Stewart McSweyn, a four-time Diamond League winner with a personal best of 3:48.37, and Great Britain’s Jemma Reekie, a world indoor silver medalist in the 800m, provide both strength and tactical acumen. Fellow Brit Georgia Hunter Bell, a Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medalist in the 1,500m, and Halima Nakaayi from Uganda, a former world champion in the 800m, are also set to pace.
The team also features Cooper Teare, a former NCAA champion from the USA, and Elliot Giles, a four-time British champion with a mile best of 3:49.16. Kenya’s Wyclife Kinyamal, a two-time Commonwealth Games champion with an 800m personal best of 1:42.08, brings powerful finishing speed. Rounding out the team are Stefan Nillessen of the Netherlands, the national record holder in the 1,500m, and Ireland’s Cathal Doyle, a multiple national champion.
Together, this team of accomplished runners will be instrumental in guiding Kipyegon through each critical lap as she chases one of the last great frontiers in women’s athletics: the sub-four-minute mile.
