A Bold Attempt: Faith Kipyegon's Near-Miss at the 4-Minute Mile

Faith Kipyegon, a star athlete from Kenya, recently took on a huge challenge: becoming the first woman to run a mile in under 4 minutes. She pushed herself to the limit but fell just short, clocking in at 4:06. 91. Even though it wasn't a record-breaking time, it was still her personal best. The event in Paris wasn't an official competition, so even if she had broken the record, it wouldn't have counted. But that didn't stop her from giving it her all. She had a team of 13 pacers to help her keep the pace, including a group called "the shield" that ran ahead to block the wind. It seemed like she was doing great until the last half lap, when things got tough. After crossing the finish line, Kipyegon collapsed, exhausted but proud. She thanked the crowd and her supporters, saying she felt good about her effort. She believed that breaking the 4-minute mile is possible and that someone will do it soon, even if it's not her. This attempt was called a "moonshot" by Nike, the company sponsoring the event. They compared it to Roger Bannister's historic run in 1954, when he became the first person to break the 4-minute mile. Bannister used pacers to help him, just like Kipyegon did. Pacers make it easier by reducing air resistance, which is a big deal when you're running that fast. Kipyegon didn't just rely on pacers; she also used special shoes, a high-tech speed suit, and even a sports bra made from advanced materials. She's no stranger to success, having won gold in the 1, 500 meters at the last three Olympics and silver in the 5, 000 meters in 2024. Breaking the 4-minute mile has always been a huge deal in track and field. Bannister's achievement was so significant that he was later knighted for it. Even though Kipyegon didn't break the record this time, her attempt shows how far women's running has come and how close they are to achieving this historic milestone.