Faith Kipyegon speaks out after near-historic mile run in Paris
By Kenneth Mwenda, June 27, 2025Faith Kipyegon has delivered a powerful message of courage and belief after coming agonisingly close to breaking one of the last great barriers in women’s athletics, the sub-four-minute mile.
Hours after running the fastest time ever recorded by a woman over the distance, the Kenyan star, on Friday, June 27, 2025, took to social media to reflect on her attempt.
“I dared to try Breaking4 was about showing the world that we have to push ourselves. This one was for all the young girls and women out there to show that you have to believe in yourself in everything you do. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all the support I’ve received, from my whole team, Nike, the pacemakers, the organisers, and fans from all around the world. It’s not if, it’s when. Asanteni Sana,” she said.
Running at the Nike-sponsored ‘Breaking4’ event at Stade Sébastien Charléty in Paris on 26 June 2025, Kipyegon clocked 4:06.42, beating her own official world record of 4:07.64, but still just over six seconds short of the sub-four milestone.
The time, however, won’t be officially recognised as a new world record because she was supported by a team of both male and female pacemakers and wore advanced Nike kit and specially designed spikes. Nevertheless, the performance was another extraordinary feat in the decorated career of a woman who continues to redefine the limits of middle-distance running.
Kipyegon, 31, is already a three-time Olympic champion and four-time world champion. Her world record in the mile, set in Monaco in 2023, had already taken the event into new territory. Thursday’s race in Paris was her boldest attempt yet at going even further, aiming to do what no woman has done before: complete the mile in under four minutes.
Brave effort, powerful message
Wearing an aerodynamic black skinsuit with 3D-printed ‘aeronodes’ to reduce drag, and running with the help of 13 pacemakers and Wavelight pacing technology, Kipyegon set out on a brave pace from the gun.
She passed the bell in 3:01.84, on target for a historic finish. But the speed began to fade in the final lap, and though the barrier remained intact, her time was still the quickest a woman has ever run.
At the finish, she was greeted by her friend and mentor Eliud Kipchoge, who himself made history in 2019 as the first man to run a marathon in under two hours.
“I have proven that it is possible, it is only a matter of time. If it is not me, it will be somebody else. I will not lose hope, I will still go for it. I hope I will get it one day,” Kipyegon said after the race.
To her daughter and young girls watching across the globe, she offered words of hope and strength.
“We are not limited. We can limit ourselves with thoughts, but it is possible to try everything and prove to the world that we are strong. Keep pushing.”