PARIS – In a groundbreaking attempt on Thursday, Faith Kipyegon ran the fastest mile ever recorded by a woman, clocking in at 4:06.42, yet narrowly missed the elusive sub-4-minute barrier by 6.42 seconds.
Breaking: Kipyegon’s Historic Run
Kipyegon, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and widely regarded as the greatest middle-distance runner of all time, made her latest record-breaking attempt at Stade Charlety in Paris. Despite the formidable combination of her speed and a sophisticated system of pacemakers, the barrier remains unbroken.
Immediate Impact
The event, organized by Nike and Kipyegon’s sponsor, was held in front of a limited audience. Although her time surpassed her previous world record of 4:07.64 set in 2023, it will not count as an official world record due to the extraordinary assistance she received, including male pacers.
4:06.42 – Fastest mile ever run by a woman.
Key Details Emerge
Kipyegon entered the race as the only woman to have run a mile in less than 4:10. To bridge the 7.64-second gap to the sub-4-minute milestone, she was supported by a team of 13 pacers. The pacers followed a meticulously choreographed formation to help the 31-year-old Kenyan reduce wind resistance.
Nike also contributed by designing a specialized speed suit and sports bra, alongside a new set of spikes, to enhance Kipyegon’s aerodynamic efficiency.
Industry Response
Her coach, Patrick Sang, mentioned on a Nike-organized broadcast that Kipyegon appeared “a bit nervous” on the morning of the race. Despite this, the attempt was not deemed impossible, with scientific models suggesting a sub-4-minute mile was feasible under optimal conditions.
3:59.37 – Theoretical time modeled by researchers for a sub-4 mile.
Expert Analysis
Shalaya Kipp, a postdoctoral research fellow at the Mayo Clinic and former Olympic distance runner, compared Kipyegon’s attempt to Nike’s previous “moonshot” race in 2017, which aimed to help Eliud Kipchoge break the two-hour marathon barrier. Although Kipchoge initially fell short, he succeeded in his second attempt, highlighting the progressive nature of such challenges.
“Is it really going to be a failure if she runs, you know, 4:01, 4:02? It’s still going to be a big deal,” Kipp told NBC News.
Background Context
The race was structured based on a scientific paper published in February, which outlined a strategy involving Kipyegon maintaining a precise distance from pacers. However, Nike did not consult these researchers for the actual drafting strategy, instead opting for a “pocket” of pacers to minimize drag.
The pacers included notable athletes like Grant Fisher, a two-time Olympic bronze medalist from the United States. Kipyegon reached the halfway mark in 2:01.7, and with one lap remaining, she had clocked 3:01.84. As the race progressed, pacers gradually dropped off, leaving five to support her in the final stretch.
What Comes Next
While Kipyegon’s attempt fell short of the sub-4-minute mark, it represents a significant step forward in women’s middle-distance running. The event has sparked discussions about the potential for future attempts and the evolving understanding of athletic limits.
Looking ahead, Kipyegon and her team may continue to explore new strategies and technologies to push the boundaries of what is possible in women’s running. As history has shown, today’s near-misses often pave the way for tomorrow’s breakthroughs.