Faith Kipyegon is already an iconic figure in middle-distance running. A 3x Olympic gold medalist in the 1500m and a silver medalist in the 5000m, her status is solidified as an all-time great.

After winning almost every accolade in her remarkable career, on Thursday, at the Nike Breaking4 event held at the Stade Sébastien Charléty in Paris, Kipyegon sought to become the first woman to run a mile in under four minutes.

Although she came up short in her ambitious attempt, Kipyegon bested her own world record time in the mile in Paris, finishing with a landmark time of 4:06.42, shaving 1.22 seconds off her own world record.

Following the race, Kipyegon expressed her gratitude for her journey and all the support she’s garnered.

“It was tough, but I am so proud of what I’ve done, and I’m going to keep on trying, dreaming, and pursuing big goals,” Faith said. “I want to show the world, and especially women, that you have to dare to try.” 

“I will never forget this moment, and watching Faith chase her dreams. This is why Nike exists: to serve athletes like Faith. History was made today, with Faith shattering her world record time, NIKE, Inc. President & CEO Elliott Hill added. “Watching her historic performance and pursuit to redefine what’s possible will inspire generations of athletes to dream bigger. I’m proud of the expertise, innovation, design, creativity, and overall support that our teams provided to make the impossible possible.’

In preparation for the historic run, Kipyegon and Nike partnered “to create the most ideal conditions for her to push the limits of possibility and considered every factor and advantage” to ensure her success.  Nike customized apparel and footwear, such as the Victory Elite FK super spikes, along with setting up a prime location for Kipyegon’s shot at making history.

During the race, Kipyegon was surrounded by several world-class middle-distance runners who served as pacesetters. The group of runners shielded her from the wind and provided a draft for the legendary runner.

According to Kipyegon, it's just a matter of time before some woman breaks the elusive feat.

“It’s only a matter of time, but I think it will come our way,” Kipyegon said. “If it is not me, it will be somebody else. I will still go for it, and I hope I will get it one day.”