The eyes of the running universe will converge on Paris tomorrow as Faith Kipyegon attempts to become the first woman to run under four minutes in the mile. The exhibition is a Nike-backed showcase to help Kipyegon shatter one of running’s remaining modern barriers with Stade Charlety in Paris serving as the backdrop — and host.
Kipyegon’s accomplishments on the track put her in a rare — but reasonable — space to take on a challenge of this caliber.
She is a three-time Olympic champion and current world record holder in the 1,500m and the mile.
But on Thursday, she puts herself in line to not only lower her own existing marks, but break below a point that no other woman in the sport has reasonable had a chance to do in recent years.
Just over 70 years ago the notion of a human soaring under four minutes became a reality when Roger Bannister ran 3:59.4 at at Iffley Road Track in Oxford, England and pulled down one of the most elusive challenges in sports.
For Kipyegon, 31, the attempt comes at a critical time in her career and the implications of what a sub-four mile would mean has led the charge of months of preparation and training.
She also sees the symbolism of running toward a goal designed to inspire many, especially young women.
We all have the same dream, but we only have to to wake up and get that dream,” Kipyegon said in a media session on Wednesday. “That’s the thing. It drives me to to think of that word that a woman can do what a man can do.”
At Thursday’s event, Kipyegon will need plenty to lean in her favor as she has to chip just over 7.64 seconds from her own current mile record. It will be a tactical collaboration of pacing, speed and detailed planning.
What is Breaking4?
Breaking4 is a Nike-backed exhibition billed as Olympic legend Faith Kipyegon’s attempt to be the first woman to complete the mile in under four minutes. As the current record holder, she will look the lower her own mark by nearly eight seconds. If successful, the time will not be an official world records because of certain event modifications like male pacers and the showcase not being organized as an actual race.
How to watch
A live stream will be available on Prime Video and Nike’s YouTube channel with the event kicking off with a pre-show at 1:15 p.m. Eastern time at Stade Sébastien Charléty in Paris, France — the track where she broke the women’s 1,500m and 5,000m world records.
What shoes and kit will Kipyegon wear?
Kipyegon will be wearing a new Nike Fly Suit that will feature aerodynamic properties to maximize her effectiveness on the track. A bra engineered from 3D-printed performance material completes the kit along with a pair of custom spikes called the Nike Victory Elite FK.
Will she be aided by pacers?
A pace group comprised of 13 middle distance runners — 11 men and two women — will likely include pieces from Nike’s stable of current professionals like Grant Fisher, Georgia Hunter Bell, Cooper Teare and Craig Engels, who were all seen in social media posts from Stade Sébastien Charléty.
