By Chris Chavez
April 23, 2025
Seventy years after Roger Bannister etched his name into history by running the first sub-four-minute mile, Nike is betting on another historic barrier coming down—this time, in the women’s mile.
Enter Faith Kipyegon.
The triple Olympic champion and world record holder will attempt to become the first woman to run a mile in under four minutes, in an event dubbed Breaking4, on June 26th at Paris’s Stade Sébastien Charléty. (A window between June 26th and 28th has been reserved for the attempt to allow for organizers to monitor the ideal weather conditions and time to stage the attempt.) Like Kipchoge’s Breaking2 in 2017, this effort is more than a race—it’s an attempt to reframe what’s considered possible.
On the famed Formula 1 course in Monza, Italy, and equipped with an early iteration of super shoes, hydrogel fueling, and a rotating cast of pacers, Kipchoge ran 2:00:25 to come 26 seconds shy of the barrier but well under Dennis Kimetto’s then-world record of 2:02:57. Kipchoge went on to break the world record that fall in 2:01:39, and then broke two hours in 2019 in another attempt backed by British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS.
No woman has ever run under four minutes for the mile. Kipyegon already owns the mile world record (4:07.64), but a recent study published in Royal Society Open Science modeled Kipyegon’s energy output across multiple pacing strategies and determined she could go as fast as 3:59.37—the exact time Bannister clocked in 1954. Her 1500m best of 3:49.04 converts to roughly 4:06.5 for the mile, putting her even closer than her mile PB.
Sub-four might not just be a dream. It might be the next chapter in Kipyegon’s already legendary career.
The Science
“It would not only show the physical capabilities of a woman but I think it would also be very inspiring for the next generation of women. I think Faith is a phenomenal role model for multiple generations of athletes – not only young high schoolers getting into the mile and just discovering this event but also Faith is a mom. There’s also this older generation of women that she’s inspiring. If she’s able to go out and break these barriers, I think it would be a huge spectrum of women that she could show, ‘Hey, our bodies are more capable than we ever thought possible.”
In March, we spoke with U.S. Olympian Shalaya Kipp, who is now a biomechanics researcher at the Mayo Clinic, about her work on the study.
– One of the key takeaways was that drafting could be key: Running behind or in front of others to reduce air resistance could reduce her energy output and improve speed. During Kipyegon’s 2023 run, the world record came despite minimal drafting help. Her pacers pulled ahead too fast and she ran the final lap alone.
– The ideal setup per the study called for one pacer in front and one behind for the full race. Much like Eliud Kipchoge’s 1:59:40 marathon in 2019, using rotating or male pacers would invalidate an official record under current World Athletics rules.
Nike’s Footwear Innovation Background
– Nike has always been a leader in footwear innovation. In 2016, they quietly rolled out the VaporFly 4% shoes as prototypes at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and claimed two of the top three spots for the Rio Olympics. At the Games, Kipchoge, Ethiopia’s Feyisa Lelisa, and America’s Galen Rupp were also given the prototypes and swept the medals in the men’s marathon.
All of the success led to World Athletics setting firm rules on stack heights and accessibility to attempt to create a level playing field for athletes and amongst the footwear brands. Nike’s first super shoes did not hit the market until 2017.
There has not been any word yet from Nike on what footwear Kipyegon will sport during the attempt. Since it likely will not be world-record eligible with a rotating cast of pacers, they would likely also use non-World Athletics compliant shoes. In recent years, most Nike pros like Kipyegon have opted for the Nike DragonFly Elite 2 or Nike Zoom Victory 2 for track races. Kipyegon wore the Victory 2 for her win at the Paris Olympics.
Final race day plans and strategy were not all disclosed at the time of Breaking4’s announcement so it has not been determined whether Kipyegon’s run will qualify for ratification. Those close to the event want to try and stay within as many traditional guidelines but know fully well that considerations have to be made on the footwear innovation and pacing strategy as to whether or not the attempt will be ratified. Much like in Breaking2, the brand is likely more focused on showcasing and redefining what may be possible in women’s sports rather than achieving a specific result for the World Athletics record books.
– There also haven’t been too many scientific details shared behind why Paris’ Stade Sébastien Charléty was selected over known fast tracks in the world like the one at Stade Louis II in Monaco or Boston University's famous indoor track but Kipyegon has a history with Stade Sébastien Charléty. In 2023, she ran 14:05.20 to break the 5000m world record there. Last year, she ran 3:49.04 to break her own 1500m world record there.
What They Had To Say
Kipygeon: “I remember running barefoot to school as a little girl dreaming one day I will be an Olympic champion…Since I became a mother, everything has changed. You have to show your child the way. And this is the way to go as women to push boundaries and dream big.”
Kipchoge: “I believe that Faith is the woman to take this challenge. She’s a big dreamer.”
What’s Next
– Kipygeon has been training in Kaptagat, Kenya, and will open her 2025 outdoor track season on Saturday, April 26th with the 1000m at the Xiamen Diamond League in China. She will be racing Olympic 800m silver medalist Tsigie Duguma.
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Chris Chavez
Chris Chavez launched CITIUS MAG in 2016 as a passion project while working full-time for Sports Illustrated. He covered the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and grew his humble blog into a multi-pronged media company. He completed all six World Marathon Majors and on Feb. 15th, 2025 finally broke five minutes for the mile.
