The sports world has once again witnessed a historic moment. Faith Kipyegon, the Kenyan middle-distance runner and Nike ambassador, pushed the boundaries once more by setting a new women’s world record mile with an incredible time of 4:06.42 during her race in Paris.
With this achievement, Kipyegon became part of the Nike 4-minute mile event, aimed at seeing a woman run the mile in under 4 minutes for the first time. Although Faith did not break that barrier, she surpassed her own record and reaffirmed her status as the most decorated woman in middle-distance running history.
How did Faith Kipyegon break the women’s mile world record?
Faith’s performance at the Stade Charléty in Paris was the result of hard work and preparation. Behind her astonishing time lie months of meticulous training, a team of experts, and a strategic partnership with Nike, her sponsor for the past 16 years.
Kipyegon’s preparation included everything from technical refinement to optimizing factors such as footwear, apparel, and race conditions. Nike brought its cutting-edge design and sports science innovation to help the athlete achieve her fastest mile time ever, surpassing her own record set in 2023.
Key tools included the Nike Fly Suit with cutting-edge aerodynamic properties, the Nike FlyWeb Bra made from a revolutionary 3D high-performance material, and the ultra-lightweight Nike Victory Elite FK spikes, specifically designed for Faith.
Why is the Nike 4 minute mile so important for women’s sports?
The symbolic goal of breaking the 4-minute mile barrier has been one of athletics’ greatest challenges since Roger Bannister first achieved it 70 years ago. For women’s sports, that barrier seemed unreachable — until now.
With her time of 4:06.42, Faith Kipyegon came closer than ever to the mythical record, proving that female athletes are approaching that milestone. Before her attempt, no woman had been so close to achieving it unaided.
What did Faith Kipyegon say after achieving the fastest mile time ever?
After crossing the finish line, Faith shared her motivation and vision for what this record means for her and for athletics worldwide:
“After winning three Olympic gold medals and four World Championship titles, I wanted to continue building my legacy. Breaking my own record proves there’s always a faster time. I hope my journey inspires the next generation to go beyond what they believe is possible,” she said.
Meanwhile, Elliott Hill, President and CEO of Nike, celebrated the achievement:
“Watching Faith chase her dreams is why Nike exists. History was made today, and our team is proud to have contributed to making the impossible possible.”
Nike: A strategy that pushes the boundaries of sport
It is not the first time Nike has set out to make the impossible possible. Breaking limits is part of the brand’s identity. Five years ago, in Vienna, Nike played a crucial role in the Ineos 1:59 Challenge, which aimed to see a human run a marathon in under two hours for the first time.
The feat was accomplished by Eliud Kipchoge, the greatest marathoner in history, who completed the marathon in 1:59:40.2.
This race was part of the launch campaign for the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly, the shoes that became a turning point in the history of running footwear.
Beyond her natural talent and tireless discipline, Faith Kipyegon’s success in Paris reflects the deep collaboration with Nike — a partnership that combines expertise, technology, and innovation.
Nike, renowned for its commitment to sports and especially for advancing female athletes, designed exclusive products to maximize Faith’s performance. Combined with a holistic approach that considered aerodynamics, efficiency, and ideal race conditions, the athlete exceeded expectations.
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