By Eddah Waithaka
Seventy years after Roger Bannister made history as the first man to break the four-minute mile, Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon stands on the brink of her own legendary moment.
Tonight, at Paris’ Stade Charlety, the Olympic champion will attempt to become the first woman ever to run the mile in under four minutes.
The Challenge Ahead
Kipyegon, 30, already owns the women’s mile world record (4:07.64), set in Monaco in 2023. But tonight’s mission demands something extraordinary, she must slash 7.65 seconds off that time.
To make it happen, Nike and her management team, Global Sports Communication, have orchestrated a precision-engineered event reminiscent of Eliud Kipchoge’s sub-two-hour marathon in 2019.
Every detail from pacers to footwear, has been fine-tuned for peak performance.
The Perfect Stage
The Stade Charlety, a 20,000-seat arena with a fast track, holds special significance for Kipyegon. She smashed the 1,500m and 5,000m world records here in 2023.
“This track brings me luck,” she said. “I believe in its energy.” Gates open at 5:30 PM local time (6:30 PM EAT), with the attempt set for 8 PM (9 PM EAT).
Fans worldwide can watch live on Nike’s YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Prime Video.
In Kenya, Safaricom is fueling the #Kenya4Faith campaign, offering a 4GB data bundle for just KSh 4 to ensure no one misses the historic moment.
The Science of Speed
Nike has pulled out all the stops: a handpicked group of pacers, including Wycliffe Kinyamal (Kenya), Halima Nakaayi (Uganda), and Grant Fisher (USA), will run in a wind-blocking formation, while Kipyegon will wear a 3D-printed Nike Fly Suit and a revolutionary FlyWeb sports bra, designed for aerodynamics and comfort; additionally, Paris’ one-hour time difference from Kenya minimizes jet lag, keeping her body clock in sync.
“If she succeeds, this won’t just be a record—it will redefine what’s possible for women in sport,” said Carrie Dimoff, Nike’s Footwear Lead.
The X-Factors include weather, psychology, and support: early morning rain cooled the track after a 36°C heatwave, creating near-perfect conditions; the stadium will glow purple, Kipyegon’s favorite color, to boost her focus; and marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge is on-site, cheering her on.
“Faith isn’t just running for herself, she’s running for every girl who dreams big,” said Simon Bairu, her sports marketing partner. Tonight, the world watches.
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