Faith Kipyegon: Closing In on the 4-Minute Mile Barrier

Faith Kipyegon’s attempt to break the mile barrier last week in Paris fell short after a superb effort
The Kenyan superstar set an unofficial world record and is set to race in her first race this week since then
Her perennial rival and one of her pacemakers, Georgia Hunter Bell, explained how Kipyegon can break the barrier

Faith Kipyegon came close to making history by becoming the first woman to run the mile in under four minutes, but her rival, Georgia Hunter Bell, believes the record is still within reach for the Kenyan star.

Faith Kipyegon stepped onto the Stade Charléty in Paris on June 26, trying to become the first woman to run the mile under four minutes in Nike Nike-sponsored Breaking4 project.

She didn’t achieve her dreams, but she set a new world record, which World Athletics won’t recognise.

How did Faith Kipyegon’s Breaking4 go?

Kipyegon was backed by several world-class pacemakers which including Olympic medallists, like Georgia Bell. After a good start, she faded as she approached the bell.

She clocked an official time of 4:06.42, 1.22 seconds faster than her previous world record. Exhausted from her valiant effort, she collapsed to the ground.

Moments later, her husband, Timothy Kitum, and marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge rushed to her side, offering comfort as she lay exhausted. Despite not breaking the barrier, she etched her name in history.

“Breaking4 was about showing the world that we have to push ourselves. This one was for all the young girls and women out there to show that you have to believe in yourself in everything you do,” she wrote on Instagram.

How difficult was Breaking4 for Faith Kipyegon?

Kipyegon will now have to wait for another chance to break the barrier. Just like her compatriot, Eliud Kipchoge, who fell short in his first attempt to break the 2-hour marathon barrier but got it right in his second try.

Georgia Hunter Bell, the Paris Olympics bronze medalist, was in the front seat of Kipyegon’s attempt. She admitted she saw Kipyegon hurting for the first time.

“I’ve never seen Faith like struggle,” Hunter Bell told The Independent. “Yesterday [June 26] was the first time that I’ve really seen her hurting, a little bit of form going, a little bit of strain on the face.”

Can Faith Kipyegon break mile barrier in future?

Hunter Bell believes the record can still be broken and Kipyegon will be the one to do it. However, she needs to avoid running the 5000m to have a chance.

“I actually don’t think [the mile favours a runner with a speed background,” Hunter Bell added. “I think you have to have a really strong endurance base to be able to do a challenge like that.”

Kipyegon already holds a world title and an Olympic silver medal in the 5000m. Meanwhile, the British athlete firmly believes that Beatrice Chebet, the 5000m and 10,000m Olympic champion, has what it takes to break the barrier.

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Hosting the event in a packed stadium could provide the perfect atmosphere to fuel such a historic achievement.

“I think hosting it in a full stadium is a good idea, maybe at the end of a Diamond League as the final event,” Hunter Bell added. “Every bit of noise makes a difference. We really saw that in the Paris Olympic final last year. It was so loud and we ran so fast. So I think that could definitely help.”

Kipyegon is still at her peak, so she might have a second attempt in her.