By Haika Mrema

Three-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon narrowly missed becoming the first woman to run a mile in under four minutes on Thursday, clocking a time of 4 minutes, 6.42 seconds at a Nike-sponsored exhibition event in Paris. Although the effort did not result in an official record, the time stands as the fastest mile ever run by a woman.

The 31-year-old Kenyan middle-distance runner was the star of an event titled “Breaking4: Faith Kipyegon vs. the 4-Minute Mile.” Due to the use of a large team of pacers and the race’s exhibition format, the time is not eligible for ratification by the international athletics governing body.

Kipyegon’s previous mile world record, set in 2023, stood at 4:07.64. To break the four-minute barrier, she needed to run 7.65 seconds faster, a considerable margin at the elite level.

Despite falling short, Kipyegon delivered a personal best, surpassing her own world-leading performance and moving the women’s mile closer to an unprecedented milestone.

During the race, Kipyegon was supported by 13 pacers, 11 men and two women, positioned strategically to reduce wind resistance and help maintain a consistent pace. Five pacers ran ahead of her in a V-shaped formation acting as a “shield,” while others flanked her on the sides and trailed behind. The formation was intended to minimize aerodynamic drag and conserve Kipyegon’s energy throughout the four laps.

Kipyegon maintained the target pace for the first three laps, reaching the halfway point in approximately 2:01. However, in the final lap, she was unable to sustain the pace required to break the barrier. Upon crossing the finish line, she collapsed onto the track and was assisted by her support team.

Speaking after the race, Kipyegon said,

“It was not easy, as I said when I was preparing for it, it was not easy, but I wanted to prove to the world that everything is possible in life.

“I hope one day, one time it will come … my way. So I am proud of myself to have given a chance to try and show to the world.”

The attempt drew comparisons to the historic moment when Roger Bannister became the first man to break the four-minute mile on May 6, 1954, with a time of 3:59.4. While Bannister’s run was officially recognized, Kipyegon’s performance, assisted by multiple pacers and specialized equipment, will not be entered into the official record books.

The race featured specially designed racing spikes, a speedsuit, and a 3D-printed sports bra developed by Nike to optimize aerodynamics and performance.

Though the sub-four-minute mile remains unbroken for women, Kipyegon’s run represents the closest recorded approach to this milestone under assisted conditions.