Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon came close to making history on a warm summer evening at Stade Charléty in Paris, as she attempted to become the first woman to run a mile in under four minutes. In a special race organized by Nike, Kipyegon finished in 4 minutes, 06.42 seconds—just shy of the groundbreaking mark.
Despite missing the target, the three-time Olympic champion remained upbeat.
“It was not all about running a tactical race or going for the world record,” she said after the race. “It was a special race whereby you just have to give everything. So I gave everything – and I think the WaveLights gave everything too!”
Dubbed “Breaking4: Faith Kipyegon vs. the 4-Minute Mile,” the event was unofficial and won’t be recognized for record purposes. Still, Kipyegon’s time was faster than her current official world record of 4:07.64, set in Monaco in 2023.
The race featured 13 elite pacemakers—11 men and two women—surrounding Kipyegon as she charged through the distance in front of an excited crowd. With ideal conditions of 25°C and minimal wind, the atmosphere was perfect for a bold attempt at athletics history.