Faith Kipyegon remains confident that a woman will break the four-minute mile barrier within the next decade, even after falling short in a high-profile attempt in Paris. Despite running a remarkable 4:06.42 more than six seconds outside the elusive milestone Kipyegon is optimistic about the future of women’s middle-distance running.
The effort in Paris, supported by cutting-edge technology including aerodynamic skinsuits, ultra-light super spikes, and a team of 13 pacemakers, was a bold statement of intent. Though the goal remained out of reach, the attempt produced the fastest mile ever run by a woman and reaffirmed Kipyegon’s belief in what lies ahead for the sport.
She expressed no regrets about her performance, acknowledging the physical toll of the final 200 meters after hearing the bell at 3:01. Still, she remains determined to further lower her world record of 4:07 and believes a sub-4:05 performance is possible in a race paced by women. “Birds sometimes fall but they fly again,” she said, reflecting her resolve to keep pushing the boundaries.
Looking ahead, Kipyegon will return to the 1500m at the upcoming Prefontaine Classic in Oregon, where she hopes to challenge her own world record of 3:49.04. Although there are no immediate plans to make another assault on the mile barrier, she believes advancements in training and shoe technology will help athletes get closer to the mark.
Kipyegon also spoke positively about Keely Hodgkinson’s potential to break the long-standing 800m world record of 1:53.28. The British athlete, currently recovering from a hamstring injury, expressed renewed motivation after watching Kipyegon’s performance. Kipyegon believes Hodgkinson could even go under 1:53 one day, praising her speed and determination.
Behind the scenes, innovation continues to drive progress. Nike’s development team, responsible for breakthroughs in track footwear, is already experimenting with new concepts that could transform performances. Their willingness to take risks in pursuit of groundbreaking results aligns with the daring spirit of athletes like Kipyegon.
Despite the result in Paris, the attempt to break the four-minute mile stands as a powerful symbol of ambition and progress in women’s athletics. With elite talent, motivation, and ever-evolving technology, the gap to the sub-four-minute mark may soon close and Kipyegon is confident it’s only a matter of time.
