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“If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds’ worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!”
— Rudyard Kipling.
Fast-forward 131 years, and Kipling may have replaced “son” with “daughter” and man with woman, if he saw Faith Kipyegon run.
Kenyan Faith Kipyegon will attempt to become the first woman in history to run a sub-four-minute mile (1609m). The race will be at the Paris Diamond League meeting on June 26 at the iconic 87-year-old Stade Sébastien Charléty.
It was in 1954 that, after centuries of trying, an athlete, Englishman Roger Bannister, broke the barrier. Sub-four has been the goal of runners since — it continues to be a serious benchmark. The men’s current world record is 3:43.13, set by Moroccan Hicham El Gerrouj in 1999 at the Golden Gala in Rome, Italy.
“Breaking four will give hope to the next generation for young women to think big. Everything we do, we have to dream big. It will be a part of my legacy and give hope to other women.”
Kipyegon, now 31, holds the 1500m and mile world records at 3:49.04 and 4:07.64, respectively. More than seven and a half seconds seems like a long way from 3:59.xx. However, her 1500m best is a better performance than her mile time, according to World Athletics’ points performance rating at 1286 to 1295 points. So, she is not necessarily that far away from the barrier.
Asked about her training, she said, “I haven’t changed much in training. My coach, Patrick, gives me the same things to work on. I didn’t train much more. My coach has been like my father. He tells me to be patient and to stay focused. I believe in my coach; things don’t come without believing.”
Asked if she has received support from fellow Kenyans, she said, “Yes, I have received messages of support from around the world.”
The three-time Olympic gold medallist in the metric mile will employ the use of Wavelight Technology, and pacers will lead her through 800m. It is likely she will be on pace for 1000m and 1200m, but it will be that final lap, running all alone, where she will have to continue to believe and have faith. But her aerobic engine will need to be at max.
She also owns four World Athletics Championships gold medals, three in the 1500m and one in the 5000m distance event. In the latter, demonstrating that she holds the aerobic and anaerobic capacity.
Kipyegon is coached by the legendary Patrick Sang, who may be best known for coaching former marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge. Kipchoge, who is a long-time good friend of Kipyegon’s, will be at the Paris meet to watch the attempt.
