'I Dared To Dream': Faith Kipyegon Didn't Break The Four Minute Mile - But She Proved The Power In Trying

Elle

a day ago

When Faith Kipyegon lined up on the track in Stade Sébastien-Charléty in Paris on June 26, it was never just about running a mile under four minutes. While it was a moonshot attempt, yes, it was also a symbolic message to her daughter, young girls and women everywhere across the world to dream big and unapologetically be seen doing so, rather than to play it safe.
She ran 4:06.42 — faster than any woman in history. But long before Faith had stepped into the stadium, and long after the timer had stopped, a resounding sense of collective effort is what helped Faith build her dream of breaking four, and inspiring others to live out their dreams, no matter how impossible they feel.
From becoming a Nike athlete just two years into her running journey at 16, a familal like relationship has fostered the three time Olympic gold medal winner's journey.
On the day itself, the presence of genuine support for Faith was also undeniable. While we were hundreds of miles away from her high-altitude camp in Kaptagat, Kenya, the spirit of her training grounds was very much with her. Members of the camp including her close friend and mentor Eliud Kipchoge (the first person to run a marathon in under two hours) stood by the sidelines cheering her on. A reminder that while Faith's journey played out on a global stage, it remained deeply-seated in her Kenyan roots.
And on the track she wasn't alone. Amongst a mixture of decorated male and female pacers that surrounded her were Gemma Reekie and Georgia Bell - who competed against Faith at the Paris Olympics a year ago. Now, Bell was helping her chase history. In what other sport can the same be said?
'This was the first trial,' Faith stated after the run. 'I've learned so many lessons from this race. I'll go back to the drawing board… I've seen that it's possible — and one day, it will come my way.'
For Faith, it is clear that her race was never about perfection, but rather having the audacity to show up. She reminded us that running — even at the elite level — is still a human experience that requires a village to help get you where you need to go.
Every detail of the attempt had intent. Her Nike kit was custom-engineered down to the threads — zonal-mapped to ease air resistance, featherlight spikes adapted to her exact stride, even a 3D printed sports bra, a seamless headband, aerodynamic fabric — her attire was customised at every point. Faith is now not just influencing product design, and defending her world titles, but helping build the future. A maternity ward is being funded in her hometown in Kenya — one of the many ways this journey tells more than breaking records.
Even Faith's recovery is part of the story. In the year leading up to breaking 4, she's been wearing Nike's Vomero Plus trainers on her low impact days. A shoe that supports everything from run club training to post injury support or getting your daily steps in. The insights from Faith's training have made their way into shoes that serve real bodies, be it the mundane days or race day - elite athlete or not.
'It's definitely been a game-changer in her journey,' says Nike's Senior Director of Running footwear Deepa Ramprasad. 'Faith's voice was at the forefront, and that led the direction of making sure it was right for her, and that ultimately led to shoes that are going to work for all athletes.'
What happened in Paris wasn't failure. It marked a resilient shift in how we define success. When it became clear that Faith wouldn't make a sub-4 mile, the stadium didn't fall silent. If anything, the energy intensified. We were all on our feet - clapping, cheering and yelling, well beyond the end of the race.
In an age where visibly trying can often be deemed and feel uncool, unrealistic and embarrassing, Faith set an example of how to reach beyond of what is expected of you, and if at times it feels unattainable, that having a community around you might just be what you need.
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