Latest news with #Nike-backed
Daily Mirror
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Inside Nike's Breaking4 as Faith Kipyegon looks to go where no woman has before
Faith Kipyegon will look to become the first woman to break four minutes for a mile in Paris tonight, helped by her sponsor's full box of science and innovation tricks Faith Kipyegon will look to go where no woman has before by attempting to break four minutes for a mile tonight (June 26). And while the greatest female middle distance athlete of all time admits it is a 'moonshot', the full weight of Nike's innovation machine gives her a chance. Kipyegon's world record, set in July 2023, stands at 4:07.64 – meaning she will need to run two seconds quicker per lap at Paris' Stade Charlety, where she last year obliterated the 1500m record. 'This is the biggest challenge I've ever had in my life,' she says. But with three consecutive Olympic titles and four World Championship golds, plus records across multiple distances, the Kenyan great was left thinking: 'What else? Why not dream outside the box?' If she does achieve what has seemed impossible, World Athletics will not ratify it as an official record. That is because she will be assisted by a suite of tools not eligible for standard races – in a similar mould to Eliud Kipchoge's Breaking 2 project nine years ago. Nike have created unapproved spikes specifically for her feet and a speedsuit with nodes that they say will reduce wind resistance. She will then be supported by a team of interchangeable pacers – including rivals such as Britain's Georgia Hunter Bell – formed in the shape of number 7 to ensure there is no drag. It is all very similar to Kipchoge's initial Nike-backed marathon attempt in 2017 when he fell narrowly short of running sub-two hours but went quicker than the then world record. The smart money is on a similar result here and the 3 per cent improvement required compared to her current best is much higher than Kipchoge's target. Her current record is 4.67secs faster than the second best set by Dutch maverick Sifan Hassan – underlining both how far ahead of every other woman she is and how tomorrow's quest is really a moonshot. Still, Kipyegon is leaning into her mentor and great friend Kipchoge's motto of 'no human is limited.' Seven years ago she became a mother and roared back to win 1500m gold in Tokyo and Paris while lowering the record in that event, the Mile and 5000m (which has since been beaten). Throughout Kipyegon has become adored by her rivals, with those reduced to the minor placings saying that they have been inspired rather than demoralised by her dominance. And that, more than it being a marketing stunt for her biggest sponsor, is the real essence of this challenge. Almost 2,000 men have broken the sub-four barrier since Sir Roger Bannister managed what he was told could never be done 71 years ago. Kipyegon has already blazed the trail for women's sport, forcing her competition to run faster than they ever thought possible. But to smash one of the great remaining barriers, even in this manufactured setting, will again redefine the boundaries of physical limits.
Irish Independent
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Breaking 4: All you need to know about Faith Kipyegon's mile record attempt in Paris tonight
While more than 2,000 men have covered the distance inside four minutes since Roger Bannister's remarkable run in 1954, no female athlete has ever come particularly close to the mark. Indeed, it is three-time Olympic 1500m champion Kipyegon who currently holds the record over the slightly longer distance, with the 31-year-old needing to shave almost eight seconds off her best to do so. Her effort at Stade Charlety will not count as an official record given the assistance of 'super shoes' and male pacers yet will be eagerly watched - much like Eliud Kipchoge's sub-two hour marathon in Vienna in 2019, an effort that helped inspire this challenge. Here's everything you need to know. When is Faith Kipyegon's four-minute mile attempt? Faith Kipyegon will attempt to become the first woman to run a mile in under 4 minutes on Thursday 26 June at a special event at Stade Charlety in Paris. The Nike-backed bid is expected to take place at about 7pm BST. How can I watch it? Fans around the world can tune in to on Nike's YouTube and Instagram, with coverage from 6.15pm. A documentary charting Kipyegon's efforts will also be available to watch on Amazon Prime Video after the event. What help will Kipyegon have? Much like compatriot Kipchoge had in setting his marathon mark, Kipyegon will enjoy some assistance as she bids to dip below four minutes. A new generation of 'super shoes' - incredibly light but springy spikes - are being tested on Nike athletes having already helped runners both recreational and elite smash their best times, while the Kenyan is also expected to have a number of male pacemakers at her disposal to help her draft, reducing wind resistance. The middle-distance runner has been training at altitude ahead of the attempt and will wear a special running suit and sports bra, both utilising new technology.
