“Strong… You have to dream and go for that dream. What a man can do, a woman can do.” These are not just stirring words; they are the heartbeat of a revolution. And leading that revolution is Kenya’s golden girl, Faith Kipyegon. A three-time Olympic champion, world record holder, and living legend, Kipyegon is now aiming to do the unthinkable: become the first woman in history to run a mile in under four minutes. The stage is set, Thursday, June 26, under the lights of the Stade Charlety in Paris. But will this be the night a woman smashes through one of athletics’ oldest barriers?

To understand the gravity of this challenge, you have to look back to 1954, when Sir Roger Bannister broke the four-minute mile barrier, something no man had done before. Since then, over 2,000 men have followed in his footsteps.

But for women, the barrier has remained untouched. Even Kipyegon, who holds the current women’s world mile record of 4:07.64 (set in July 2023), is still 7.64 seconds away from that magical mark. In a sport where every hundredth of a second matters, shaving off more than seven full seconds seems almost superhuman. But if there’s one athlete who can redefine human limits, it’s Faith Kipyegon. But how can she do it?

 

Faith Kipyegon will be paced by top-tier athletes, including British Olympian Georgia Bell, who will help her maintain the blistering 2:29 per kilometer pace necessary to finish inside four minutes. And more than that, she carries the fire of a greater mission. “I want this attempt to say to women, ‘You can dream and make your dreams valid,’” she said. “This is the way to go as women—to push boundaries and dream big.” With those words, Kipyegon is turning a solo race into a shared battle for every woman who was ever told she couldn’t, and every girl who dares to try. And now, there’s even more at stake.

Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, husband of tennis icon Serena Williams, has offered $100,000 prize to Kipyegon if she cracks the four-minute wall. The reward comes via ATHLOS, a platform co-founded by Ohanian to spotlight and reward elite women in sports. And since Nike is the sponsor of the event, Kipyegon also has the opportunity of unlocking commercial contracts and worldwide acclaim should she manage to do the impossible. And this is where we are. One woman. One mile. It is one of the dreams that could turn the world upside down. It is already established that Faith Kipyegon has become one of the best athletes of all time. However, to become history needs not only willpower but belief and support. And Faith has plenty of each. Read on.

Faith Kipyegon carries the hopes of her fans in every stride

One fan commented on X, “I have faith that you will run 3 mins 59 secs!” And indeed, people all do think she can do it at 31. Her glitzy resume boasts of 3 Olympic golds, 4 world championships, and two existing world records, in not only the 1500 (3:49.04) but also the mile (4:07.64). So yes, it might be possible!!

Her 2024 and 2025 performances also prove that she is in top shape. Having come #1 in the world in the women’s 1500m, Kipyegon set her personal-best record of 3:49.04, the new world record, on July 7, 2024, achieving a score of 1295 points, and recording the fastest 1000m time of the year (2:29.21) at the beginning of 2025.

“Good luck, Faith. 🫶” wrote one more fan. Another cheered, “We are rooting for you, Faith!” And someone else prayed, “Wishing all the best in God’s name, Amen!!” The love is loud and real. But it’s never just talent alone that pushes greatness. It is the faith of the fans, the spirit of crowds, and the strength of collaborations. In the case of Faith Kipyegon, Nike joined her in the journey around 2009. And, again, they are with her on her side to dare to chase history.

This time, she’s armed with innovation. Nike has equipped her with a futuristic aerodynamic skinsuit featuring “3D-printed aeronodes”, the same cutting-edge tech used by British Olympic champions. Add to that her new 85-gram custom spikes with titanium pins and a carbon plate: lighter, faster, more propulsive than ever. But will it be enough? Experts say maybe a second’s edge, no more. And still, every scientific instinct whispers: it won’t happen… at least not yet. But if there’s anyone who can prove science wrong, it’s Faith.

“We pray for you, Faith. May the Almighty God grant you victory,” one more fan shared, and that’s exactly the spirit surrounding this moment. Faith Kipyegon isn’t just trying to break a record; she’s carrying the hopes of millions with her. And conditions? Perfect!!!

The sub-four-minute mile will take place on a racetrack, Faith’s natural arena, where she’s set record after record. She knows the track. She trusts the track. And that mental edge matters. Then comes timing. While Faith usually peaks in September for the World Championships, Nike worked closely with her team to find a sweet spot, allowing her to recover from earlier races and still be in top shape. Late June, they decided, was the perfect window. No compromises. No excuses. Just pure performance.

And Nike didn’t stop there. Jet lag? Eliminated. Paris is just one hour behind Kenya, so Faith’s internal rhythm stays intact. Weather? Controlled as much as possible. Nike analyzed data and picked a location where the odds of ideal conditions, zero rain, winds under 12 km/h, and cool temperatures, are highest. Because at this level, even a gust of wind or a few degrees too warm can steal a record from your grasp.  The countdown to Paris is on. And whether she finishes in 3:59 or 4:01, one thing is certain: Faith Kipyegon is running for far more than time. She’s running for history.