Kenya legend Faith Kipyegon primed for Breaking4 conquest in Paris
Story by Mutwiri Mutuota
Kenyan running legend, Faith Chepng’etich Kipyegon, will attempt to go where no woman has ever gone before, under the four-minute mile barrier in France on Thursday evening.
Nike partnered with Kipyegon to attempt the achievement in what they are calling Breaking4 at the Stade Charlety in Paris.
Kipyegon, the world record holder in the slightly longer 1500m with 3:49.04, will need to run eight seconds faster than her best in the mile of 4:07.64 to achieve the feat.
The 31-year-old middle distance icon opened her 2025 season with victory at the opening Diamond League meeting in Xiamen, China, before returning home to prepare for the stab at history.
“I hope 2025 will be a special year, it will be a year of still harvesting more fruit, defending my title at the World Championship in Tokyo, and also, running beautiful times,” Kipyegon told CGTN Africa in February as she trained in Eldoret, northern Kenya. “I hope this year will be perfect as last year.”
Inspired by Kipchoge
Breaking4 is expected to introduce the four-time world 1500m champion to a whole new global audience and also help propel her sport to the mainstream.
Training partner, fellow Kenyan, and marathon great, Eliud Kipchoge, is attending tonight’s event. Kipchoge, who made headlines with the INEOS 159 Challenge in Vienna, Austria, in October 2019, became the first and only human being to run the classic 42.195km distance in under two hours. His success helped inspire Kipyegon’s attempt.
Just like Breaking4, the INEOS challenge was a controlled time trial with modified factors to aid in breaking one of the biggest barriers in sport.
While more than 2,000 men have covered the mile inside four minutes since Roger Bannister of Great Britain’s remarkable run in 1954, no female athlete has ever come close to the mark.
You can watch Kipyegon’s attempt at glory along with millions around the world. Nike plans to stream the event on its YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Twitch accounts. Amazon Prime Video is also carrying it live. Coverage starts at 18:15 GMT, with the actual attempt beginning at 1900.
