Faith Kipyegon targets sub 4-minute mile in Paris for Ksh13M prize

Jun 26, 2025 - 11:20
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Faith Kipyegon targets sub 4-minute mile in Paris for Ksh13M prize

The Triple Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon is on the brink of making history again as she gears up for a landmark sub-four-minute mile attempt at the Charlety Stadium in Paris on Thursday, June 26, 2025, evening.

With a Ksh13 million incentive on the line, the race dubbed Breaking4 is more than a pursuit of time—it’s a bold strike at one of middle-distance running’s most elusive milestones.

The initiative, led by Kipyegon’s sponsor Nike, is backed by the newly launched women-only track and field league ATHLOS. “Should Faith make history, ATHLOS will pay the queen her dues.

 All eyes on sub-four,” read a statement from the league, founded by tech entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian. He further declared via social media, “We’ve got about Ksh13 million on Kipyegon to break the world record! And you better believe we’ll wire it swiftly, just like we did for our ATHLOS athletes in 2024.”

Kipyegon already holds the women’s world record in the mile at 4:07.64, set at the Monaco Diamond League in 2023. She also starred in the inaugural ATHLOS meet last year in New York, where she ran 4:04.79 and pocketed Ksh7.8 million.

However, to break the fabled four-minute barrier, she must chop 7.65 seconds off her personal best—an immense challenge even for a generational talent.

“If I can break the record, then I will have cemented my legacy. It will give hope to women that if we dream big, anything is possible,” Kipyegon said.

While physically prepared, Kipyegon admits the psychological barrier is significant.

“This is a challenge whereby…you have to think of it. You have to think about how to cross the 800m mark. How to cross the 1200m mark? It’s a repetition of ‘I have to be myself’ and just think of how I will strategise to shave off those seven seconds,” she noted.

Kipyegon’s eye

Still, her resolve is clear.

 “It’s a challenge, and we are going for that challenge. Everybody is thinking of how we are going to shave these seven seconds. It’s also like me. I think the same,” she revealed.

Kipyegon has been outfitted by Nike with a bespoke “Fly Suit” designed to minimise aerodynamic drag and specially engineered racing spikes inspired by her Zoom Victory 2s.

Paris is a symbolic stage for the attempt. It was here in 2023 that she shattered the 1,500m world record with a 3:49.04 run and also posted a 5,000m world record of 14:05.20—though that was later surpassed by Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay. Most recently, she clinched her third Olympic gold in the 1,500m at the same venue with a blistering 3:51.29, setting a new Olympic record.

Support for Kipyegon’s bold mission has poured in from across the globe. Olympic 1,500m silver medallist Jessica Hull of Australia told Athletics Weekly, “I think this is changing the whole sport. It’s forcing us all to think bigger. It sends this message that you don’t know what’s possible until you try.”

Back home, Kenyan athletes including Eliud Kipchoge, Mary Moraa, Hellen Obiri, Beatrice Chebet, and Faith Cherotich have thrown their weight behind her.

“Kipyegon has accomplished nearly everything there is in the world of athletics. The only frontier that now remains is breaking barriers, and she continues to pursue them with the same passion and excellence that has defined her remarkable career spanning over a decade,” Cherotich posted.

“Wishing you all the best in your attempt to go sub-four in the mile. Thanks for the courage and for inspiring all women to dare to dream,” Chebet added.

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Josphat Mulama I am a passionate blogger tech enthusiast and founder of 8T8 Media a digital platform dedicated to sharing tech insights news updates and thought-provoking content. My journey into blogging began with a love for writing and a deep interest in how technology shapes our lives. Over time I expanded my focus to include not just tech but also political news current affairs and updates across fields like business education and lifestyle. Through 8T8 Media I aim to keep my audience informed with relevant and timely content that reflects real issues and developments around us. I break down complex tech topics into easy reads and share important news stories that matter to individuals and communities. My approach is rooted in authenticity consistency and a genuine desire to empower others with information. I believe that blogging is more than just writing it's about connecting people to knowledge ideas and opportunities. Whether you're into gadgets tech trends or just want to stay updated on what's happening around you my content is created to engage inform and inspire. 8T8 Media is my way of contributing to a more informed digital world and I'm proud to use my voice to share stories that matter.