Kenyan Runner to Attempt What Was Once Thought Impossible

Faith Kipyegon, already a legend on the track, is about to test the limits of human speed as she attempts to become the first woman to run a mile in under four minutes—a feat once thought impossible. The 31-year-old Kenyan runner, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and the current world record-holder in the mile, will make the high-profile attempt during a Nike-sponsored race in Paris on Thursday, per Runner's World. It follows a study suggesting it's possible for Kipyegon, who recorded a personal best time of 4:07.64 in Monaco in 2023, to shave at least eight seconds off that time—if she can maximize the benefits of "drafting" behind pacers to minimize air resistance, per NBC News.

Researchers modeled a scenario in which Kipyegon runs in a tight formation with all-female pacers, finding that, under ideal conditions, she could clock 3:59.37—around the same time Roger Bannister posted in 1954 to break the men's four-minute barrier. The study's authors also hope the attempt brings more attention and research to women's middle-distance running. Kipyegon's effort is drawing comparisons to Eliud Kipchoge's sub-two-hour marathon attempts, which helped push the limits of what's possible in distance running. (This content was created with the help of AI. Read our AI policy.)