Table of Contents
- Nike Breaking4 is at the centre of the much-awaited Faith Kipyegon sub-4-minute mile run
- She is the first female athlete to undertake this challenge in history
- Kipyegon drew her inspiration from Roger Bannister and fellow Kenyan marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge
Nike Breaking4 is at the centre of the much-awaited Faith Kipyegon sub-4-minute mile run on June 26.
She is the first female athlete to undertake this challenge in history. Roger Bannister is the only other middle-distance athlete who attempted to run a mile in under four minutes back in 1954 at Iffley Track in England.
Kipyegon drew her inspiration from Bannister and fellow Kenyan marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge. Kipchoge made history in 2019 with the INEOS challenge, where he ran a full marathon in less than two hours.
The 38-year-old clocked 1:59:40 to prove that no human is limited. Kipyegon is following in his steps with the globally publicised Faith Kipyegon 4-minute mile challenge.
The American sportswear giant has never-seen-before sports apparel for Kipyegon dubbed the Nike Moonshot.
Special Nike Breaking4 Sportswear for Faith Kipyegon
Nike Breaking4 moonshot features sportswear designed to enhance performance through science and technology.
The latest in Nike’s moonshot project is a Fly Suit, FlyWeb Bra, Victory Elite FK Spikes shoes and pacing technology that Kipyegon will feature on June 26 at Stade Charlety in Paris.
She will make a run for a mile in under four minutes. Let’s take a look at each of these special designs.
Victory Elite FK Spikes
Victory Elite FK Spikes. Photo/Mozzart
Nike Breaking4 project features Victory Elite FK Spikes, an upgrade of the Nike Victory 2 Spikes. Kipyegon wore the footwear at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she won a gold medal.
The latest upgrade of the footwear is lightweight and taller,r with an Air Zoom segment to enhance propulsion.
Victory Elite FK Spikes also have a lightweight carbon plate and titanium spikes with ‘FK’ emblazoned on them.
These Zoom AirPods recirculate 90% energy with each stride she makes. Further, the shoe’s spikes have the abbreviation ‘FK’ emblazoned, meaning Fastest Known and Faith Kipyegon.
These spikes have gold flecks as a sign of honour for the Kenyan smiling queen.
Although Kipyegon will use this footwear for the Breaking4 challenge. Nike has yet to have it approved by World Athletics.
It may need a few readjustments to align with World Athletics’ guidelines for a world record ratification for any athlete who wears them and wins.
Nevertheless, Kipyegon’s sub-four-minute-mile campaign is more about pushing her human limits than just a world record. The same concept applied to Kipchoge’s INEOS 1:59 challenge.
Fly Suit
Faith Kipyegon’s Fly Bodysuit. Photo/Mozzart
Nike’s Fly Suit was designed with aerodynamics in mind. The Fly Suit has Aeronod es, small textured bumps that reduce airflow to increase speed.
Nike says the customized design will help customized race suit will help Kipyegon conserve her energy at 15 miles per hour.
FlyWeb Bra
Faith Kipyegon with her Nike FlyWeb Bra. Photo/Mozzart
The FlyWeb Bra is the most innovative sportswear for Nike Breaking4. It’s a 3D-designed seamless bra with customised anatomy design achieved through computational design and printing.
The thermoplastic polyurethane used to print the FlyWeb Bra is light and has nodes to allow for the circulation of air.
Pacing Technology
Special pacing technology will support Kipyegon in Breaking4. Nike’s wavelight pacing system is among the unique facts of this technology.
There will be a ring of LED lights built along the inner side of the track that acts as a visual pace-setting guide, moving at the right pace to break the sub-4-minute mile.
This system alleviates the need for split calls and watches. She will also be accompanied by an elite group of male pacers in a V-position who will alternately change position to ensure an even pace and provide wind shelter.
How Did Nike Custom Design Sportwear for Faith Kipyegon?
The firm’s innovation team worked closely with Kipyegon in designing the three sports apparel to fit her biomechanics and race conditions.
