Kenya’s middle-distance runner Faith Kipyegon clocked 4:06.42 to run the distance of a mile (1.60km) at Nike’s “Breaking4” project in Paris on Thursday, June 27.
The “Breaking4” project undertaken by Kipyegon in collaboration with the global sporting giant was an attempt to become the first woman to complete the distance in under four minutes. However, the world record holder in 1500 metres and mile fell short in the attempt.
The event took place at Paris’ Stade Charlety, the same venue where she created the world record in 1500m last year and won the gold medal at the Olympics.
Kipyegon’s attempt to break the four-minute barrier came with plenty of assistance. The runner wore a specially designed kit, super-spikes, arm warmers and was surrounded by a male runners who acted as her pacers. Pacers or pacemakers are the runners who assist a runner to set a new personal or world record.
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For the run Kipyegon wore Nike’s Victory Elite FK spikes, Nike’s Fly Suit and FlyWeb Bra. According to a Forbes article all the sportswear were “tailored to her biomechanics and race-day conditions”
The time of 4:06.42 is faster than Faith’s earlier record of 4:07.64 but it will not be ratified.
The disappointment of missing the sub-four minute mark did not dampen Kipyegon’s spirit as she sounded optimistic after the run.
“I’m tired but I feel good and I tried, That is why I was coming here – to try to be the first woman to run under four minutes. It’s only a matter of time but I think it will come our way. If it’s not me, it will be someone else.” she said.
While a sub-four minute mile run by a woman remains elusive, Britain’s Roger Bannister became the first man to finish a mile run in under four in May 1954. He achieved the feat by completing the race in 3:59.4.
Prakhar Sachdeo
The Sportz Planet Desk
