Faith Kipyegon, the legendary Kenyan middle-distance runner and three-time Olympic champion, has recently revealed her ambition to attempt a groundbreaking sub-four-minute mile. The announcement has captured the attention of the athletics world, as Kipyegon, who is already a dominant force in the 1500m, prepares to take on a historic challenge. She is expected to make her attempt during the 2025 athletics season in collaboration with Nike, a brand with which she has formed a partnership.
Kipyegon’s decision to pursue a sub-four-minute mile follows in the footsteps of Eliud Kipchoge, the iconic Kenyan marathoner who famously broke the two-hour barrier in 2019. Similar to Kipchoge’s achievement, Kipyegon will be supported by a team of pace-setters to assist her in pacing the race. While the exact details of the event are yet to be revealed, the challenge promises to be a defining moment in women’s athletics.
Kipyegon’s drive to take on such a formidable goal stems from her extraordinary career in the 1500m. Having already become the first athlete male or female to win gold in three consecutive Olympic Games in the 1500m, she has accomplished what few athletes could even dream of. In addition to her Olympic golds, Kipyegon holds the current official mile world record of 4:07.64, as well as the 1500m world record of 3:49.04, which she set in 2023. Her accomplishments have solidified her as one of the greatest middle-distance runners of all time.
In an interview, Kipyegon expressed the motivation behind her bold pursuit: “I’m a three-time Olympic champion. I’ve achieved World Championship titles. I thought, what else? Why not dream outside the box?” This desire to push the boundaries of her own abilities reflects her relentless ambition and desire to inspire others. Kipyegon added that the sub-four-minute mile attempt was meant to encourage women to pursue their dreams and validate their ambitions: “I want this attempt to say to women, ‘You can dream and make your dreams valid.’”
Kipyegon’s determination to dream big is not only confined to her current successes in middle distance running. She has previously shared her aspirations of moving up to longer distances, including the 10,000m and potentially the marathon. This ambition to extend her career into new territory reflects her evolving athletic goals. However, before tackling these longer events, Kipyegon has already proven her ability to perform in shorter races, such as her impressive 1000m performance at the Xiamen Diamond League, where she clocked 2:29.21 just shy of the world record.
Her sub-four-minute mile attempt comes at a time when Kipyegon’s career is in full bloom. With each race, she continues to break barriers and set new benchmarks in the world of middle-distance running. The mile, a race that has long been a benchmark of human speed, is often regarded as one of the most challenging events in track and field, especially for women. To break the four-minute barrier would cement Kipyegon’s legacy as one of the greatest athletes of her generation.
The athletics world will undoubtedly be watching closely as Kipyegon embarks on this ambitious quest. Her attempt to shatter the four-minute barrier would not only enhance her own remarkable career but could also inspire future generations of women in sports to dream big and aim high. As Kipyegon prepares for this historic challenge, it’s clear that she is not only chasing records but is also determined to leave a lasting impact on the sport and its next wave of athletes.
