Australian middle-distance star Jessica Hull has reflected on the powerful lesson she learned from Faith Kipyegon’s fearless approach to competition, especially after the Kenyan icon’s audacious Breaking4 attempt.
In June 2025, Kipyegon boldly set out to become the first woman in history to run a mile in under four minutes. Although she missed the target, finishing in 4:06.42, her performance still stood as the fastest mile ever recorded by a woman. For Hull, however, the true victory was not in the time itself but in Kipyegon’s willingness to risk failure in pursuit of greatness.
Hull revealed that watching Kipyegon take on such an extraordinary challenge changed her outlook on racing. The world 1500m bronze medallist explained that Kipyegon has cultivated an atmosphere where it is acceptable to take risks and fall short, as long as athletes give their best effort. According to Hull, this mindset has encouraged many in the discipline to race more bravely and to aim higher without fear of missing the mark.
She described Kipyegon as a trailblazer who leads by example, showing that trying and failing can still be an essential part of success. Hull emphasized that the Kenyan’s fearless style—whether chasing world records, returning from motherhood, or taking on the strongest rivals—has inspired her and many others to approach competition with greater courage.
Heading into recent championship races, Hull admitted she had embraced Kipyegon’s mentality, deciding to stay with the leading pack even if it meant risking her podium chances. For her, racing fearlessly was more valuable than playing it safe. She acknowledged that every bold attempt could “completely backfire,” but it was the only way to achieve something truly special.
Faith Kipyegon’s influence has gone far beyond medals and times. She has redefined what it means to lead in athletics—by making it acceptable to dream big, to risk failure, and to find pride in the effort itself. Jessica Hull’s reflections capture that spirit perfectly: greatness is not just in breaking records but in daring to try when success is uncertain.
