Table of Contents
- Faith Kipyegon 4 minute mile challenge was inspired by Eliud Kipchoge’s INEOS challenge in 2019
- Kipyegon, one of Kenya’s most celebrated athletes, is eyeing a historic mile run in Paris on June 26
- While she wears an unending smile that screams confidence and composure, she has moments of fear that threaten her victory
When Eliud Kipchoge attempted the INEOS challenge in 2019, no one knew it would inspire Faith Kipyegon 4 minute mile challenge.
Kipyegon, one of Kenya’s most celebrated athletes, is eyeing a historic mile run – Breaking4 – in Paris on June 26 in less than four minutes. Nike is sponsoring this historic event.
Her campaign, dubbed ‘No Woman is Limited’ was inspired by Kipchoge’s INEOS challenge. The marathon legend became the first human to run a full marathon in under two hours.
He clocked 1:59:40 to make history in the marathon held in Vienna, Austria. Six years later, Kipyegon, who is also an Olympic champion, is attempting to break the mile run in a sub-4.
Faith Kipyegon with Eliud Kipchoge. Photo/Abdul Semu
Preparing for Faith Kipyegon 4 Minute Mile Challenge
The last couple of months have been intense for the London Marathon champion. She has been training hard for this marathon.
Faith Kipyegon 4 minute mile challenge is a do-or-do affair. Besides Kipchoge, Kipyegon’s push to complete a mile under four minutes was also inspired by Englishman Roger Bannister.
He is the only other athlete to break the sub-4 mile run. Bannister entered the annals of history in 1954 after clocking 3:59:4 at England’s Iffley Track.
Kipyegon, 30, told Capital Sports that Breaking4 is such a big dream is what motivates her to prove her capabilities beyond human imagination.
All she wants now is the chance to make it a reality, and she is confident she can achieve it. She is a believer in dreaming big and working towards making her dreams come true.
Faith Kipyegon training in Xiamen, China. Photo/Faith Kipyegon
Training for Sub-4 Challenge
Prayers are a huge part of her training regimen. A word of prayer before training and before sleeping has kept her life together.
The mother of one said that she guards her inner peace through prayer, and this gives her a perfect recipe to train.
While she wears an unending smile that screams confidence and composure, she has moments of fear that threaten her victory.
However, an hour of watching funny videos helps her deal with anxiety. Her daughter Alyn and husband support her emotionally, which also enables her to focus on the prize in every race she participates in.
In addition, Nike is providing top-of-the-shelf sportswear custom-designed for her to rewrite the mile run history in Paris.
She will run on a Fly bodysuit designed to reduce air resistance, a Nike FlyWeb Bra and Nike Victory Elite FK Spikes shoes.
Further, she will have a wave light pacing system and a team of human pacers keeping a V-formation.
What Does Faith Kipyegon Plan to Achieve?
Faith Kipyegon training for Breaking4 in Paris. Photo/Faith Kipyegon
Her zeal to succeed is partly driven by the urge to make history for the sake of her daughter. Although Alyn doesn’t understand what Faith Kipyegon’s 4-minute mile is all about right now, she will appreciate her mother’s efforts in the future, judging by her track success.
The double Olympic champion also hopes to inspire young girls worldwide with her success. Fellow athletes have come out to support her in her quest to prove that no woman is limited.
“It’ll be lovely to see Eliud after the finish line. I will feel so great, having somebody like Eliud, who has tried before an attempt like this, and my family. And all my fans who will be there to watch me achieve what many people think is impossible, and it becomes possible. It’ll be really special for me,” she said.
Mary Moraa, the 800m World champion, also threw her weight behind Kipyegon in her Breaking4 quest.
