Beyond Breaking4

I didn’t expect Faith Kipyegon to break 4 minutes in the mile in Paris on June 26th, but I don’t think that was the point.

For anyone who has no idea what I’m talking about, Faith Kipyegon is one of the world’s best distance runners. Recently, Nike hosted an exhibition time trial for Faith called Breaking4 in an attempt for her to become the first woman to run a mile in under 4 minutes. Nike pulled out all the stops for the event, kitting Faith out with innovative spikes and a 3-printed sports bra. They also tested the ideal strategy for pacers to run with her.

However, lowering her previous world record of 4:07.64 to 3:59.99 was a huge ask. That would mean dropping over 7 seconds. Maybe that doesn’t sound like a lot out of context, but consider it this way: Faith would have had to drop 3% of the time off her previous world record. 3% faster than the world’s best time.

Faith still ran a blazing 4:06.42 that day. Of course, this is not the sub-4 that Nike, fans, and Faith herself were hoping for, but I argue that Faith’s race was not a failure in the slightest.

It’s still f*cking fast

For one thing, Faith’s 4:06.42 is the fastest any woman has ever run a mile. While this time will not be ratified as an official world record because of the use of male pacers and spikes that were unverified by World Athletics, you can’t deny that Faith traveled a mile on her own two feet in 4 minutes and 6 seconds.

It features women’s running

Secondly, Faith’s attempt shines a light on women’s track, especially middle and long distance running. As with many women’s sports (and women’s livelihoods in general, let’s be honest), women’s running historically has been dismissed and is on the slow grind towards equal representation. Faith’s story of initially racing barefoot, improving as a runner while also being a mom, and somehow doing it all with a genuine smile on her face makes her an incredible role model for women and girls of all ages. While women’s sports certainly don’t need Nike’s sponsorship for validation, Breaking4 did help bring more attention to women’s track from folks not as tuned in to the running scene. 

It shows what’s possible

Finally, Faith’s race glimpses at what is possible. “It’s only a matter of time, but I think it will come our way,” Faith said in the Breaking4 livestream after the race. “If it’s not me, it will be someone someday.” As technology, training, and resources specifically for women’s running continue to advance, I agree we will see a sub-4 women’s mile, and I’ll be on the edge of my seat.

And who knows? Faith might break 4 herself. Just last week at the Prefontaine Classic, Faith lowered her own 1500m world record to 3:48.46.