Nike and Faith Kipyegon Are Going for the 4-Minute Mile

While Nike are no strangers to competitive racing, the track and marathon packs, the Swoosh is also ahead of the pack when it comes to record attempts. Back in 2017, they attempted to break a sub-two-hour marathon with Eliud Kipchoge, a feat he eventually managed in 2019. Now, they’ve announced their next Breaking project, and this time it’s Faith Kipyegon’s turn to smash the four-minute-mile.

The three-time Olympic champion will attempt to do what no woman has ever done before, as she makes an attempt at the milestone on June 26 in Paris. Kipyegon is already the world record holder in the mile and the 1500m, so with Nike’s backing, Breaking4 seemed like the natural next step. ‘I’m a three-time Olympic champion. I’ve achieved World Championship titles. I thought, What else? Why not dream outside the box?’ Kipyegon said in a Swoosh press release, ‘And I told myself, ‘If you believe in yourself, and your team believes in you, you can do it.’’

While her training regime is strictly under wraps, Kipyegon has been prepping with Nike’s support, optimising every aspect of her training – from mental science to footwear to aerodynamics. The attempt will see her try to shave 7.5 seconds off her own record of 4:07.64, which she set in 2023. In doing so, she will have to run every lap an average of nearly two seconds faster.

Speaking on the upcoming challenge, Beaverton CEO Elliot Hill said ‘Faith is a once-in-a-generation talent, and her audacious goal is exactly what Nike stands for. Breaking4 is the kind of bold dream we will do everything in our power to make real — helping both elite and everyday athletes to believe anything is possible. No other brand can offer the level of expertise, innovation and support that our Nike teams can. Alongside Faith, our innovators are breaking barriers by combining cutting-edge sport science with revolutionary footwear and apparel innovation to help her achieve a truly historic goal.’

Kipyegon continued: ‘I want this attempt to say to women, ‘You can dream and make your dreams valid. This is the way to go as women, to push boundaries and dream big.’

Kipyegon will take on the Breaking4 task in France this summer. Stay tuned to see how she gets on!

In other running news, adidas announce the Adios Pro Evo 2.