Patrick Sang has opened up about Faith Kipyegon’s Breaking4 attempt, revealing that he had concerns about her mindset after the race, even though she later proved her resilience with a strong response.
The renowned coach reflected on the Breaking4 project, which saw Faith Kipyegon attempt to become the first woman to run a mile in under four minutes. Despite her record-breaking pedigree, the Olympic champion finished in 4:06.42—an impressive improvement on her previous world record of 4:07.64 but still short of the four-minute barrier.
Sang described the project as a positive and well-executed challenge, although he acknowledged that not everything went perfectly. He praised the effort, planning, and unity that went into the event, emphasizing that it showed how human imagination and potential can continue to expand.
Comparing Kipyegon to Eliud Kipchoge, Sang noted that both athletes share similar qualities of humility, discipline, and a deep reliance on their support systems. However, he admitted that Faith’s case felt “a bit different,” with circumstances that might not have aligned as perfectly as in previous attempts.
The coach confessed that after the Paris race, he sensed that something about the experience had unsettled Kipyegon. Her body language, he said, reflected a sense that things could have gone better—though he could not pinpoint whether it was an issue of timing, preparation, or execution.
Sang’s main worry was psychological rather than physical. He wondered how Kipyegon would internalize the experience—whether she would view it as a failure or use it as fuel for growth. Fortunately, her subsequent performance in Eugene, where she reclaimed dominance by breaking the world record again, reassured him that she had handled the setback constructively.
By the end of the season, Kipyegon had not only regained her confidence but also cemented her status as one of the greatest middle-distance runners of all time. She went on to defend her 1500m world title at the World Championships in Tokyo and claimed silver in the 5000m, demonstrating her unmatched mental strength and unwavering pursuit of excellence.
