© Copyright – 2025 – Athletics Illustrated
Faith Kipyegon is one of the all-time most successful runners.
The 31-year-old Kenyan is the world record holder for the 1500 metres event as well as the mile (1609m). She is also the former world record holder for the 5000 metres.
Kipyegon is the only three-time Olympic champion in the 1500m, having won a gold medal in each of the three most recent Olympic Game at Rio de Janeiro in 2016, 2021 Tokyo, and the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. She also won a gold medal in the 1500m at the 2017, 2022, 2023 and 2025 World Athletics Championships and in the 5000m at the 2023 Budapest World Athletics Championships.
She is the mother of Alyn, now age seven.
The interview
Christopher Kelsall: Two world records, three Olympic and four world championships gold medals in the 1500m and gold in the 5000m at Budapest, congratulations on all the success.
Faith Kipyegon: Thank you very much.
CK: You are welcome. Interestingly, a few times when you have had success in big races, you have been supported and celebrated by all of your competitors while still on the track. That must be a nice feeling.
FK: Yes, it’s a great feeling. On the track, we are competitors, but outside of it, we are friends. We push each other to our best, and when someone achieves something special, the others truly understand what it means. That respect and support are what make athletics so beautiful.
CK: In 2020, you ran the 800m in 1:57.68. Considering how well you run late in the 1500m and 5000m, do you have more to explore in the two-lap race?
FK: The 800m will always be close to my heart because it was part of my development. But right now, I’m focused on my main events, especially after such a long season. I need to rest, recover, and then sit down with my coaches to plan for what’s next.
CK: Well, the world record is 1:53.28 or 1286 World Athletics points.
Team Kenya’s X tribute to Kipyegon
Faith Kipyegon journey began in the highlands of Kenya, where as a young girl she often ran barefoot on the red soil paths of Rift Valley. Her talent showed early, and she rose quickly through the junior ranks, winning the World Junior Cross Country title in 2011 and the World… pic.twitter.com/EcNhSqQZII
— TeamKenya (@OlympicsKe) September 22, 2025
Interestingly, Beatrice Chebet’s 5000m world record garners the same 1286 points. You have run that fast or faster in the 1500m, mile and the 3000m. Being that the 5000m is one of your main events, will you go after Chebet’s 5000m record?
FK: I’ve learned not to plan too far ahead with records. For now, I want to take time off and refresh. Then we will see what next season has in mind for me. Records are very special, but they don’t come easy.
CK: Alyn, being seven now, does she have a good sense of what you do for a living? Do you think she will give athletics a go?
FK: Yes, she’s starting to understand more and more. She always asks me to bring home a medal. After Breaking4, she even asked me why I was “chasing men this time,” which made me laugh. I don’t know if she will follow athletics, but whatever she chooses, I will support her fully.
CK: That’s cute. When you were a junior, you raced barefoot. Do you continue to do some of your running barefoot? If so, is this for the muscular training effect for the feet and lower leg?
FK: No, not anymore.
CK: When you attempted Breaking4 for the first time in my memory, you did not look relaxed while on the start line. Was there too much pressure? And was the goal a bit too ambitious?
Breaking4
FK: The pressure was there. I entered the stadium and everyone was cheering for me. It was amazing. Breaking4 was about daring to dream and try something different. I know one day someone will break the 4-minute barrier.
CK: Any elite runner is well in-tune with the feel of effort and pace, so do you think the Wavelight technology actually assists a runner? My thought is that if you are fit, you are fit, and you would not need the lights, and if you are unfit or having an off day, the lights could be an issue, as they may cause a runner to tighten up while struggling to keep up.
FK: You know, the Wavelight helps me a lot. Once the pacers are out, it helps to guide you to the finishing line.
CK: During the off-season and in-season, what does a typical training week look like for you?
FK: During the off-season, I take a few weeks off to spend time with my family. After that, I gradually start rebuilding my fitness, beginning with plenty of gym work.
During this period, I spend more time with my family.
During the season, my training consists of three key sessions per week: a long run, track training, and/or a fartlek session. I follow whatever my coach has planned for me — I don’t usually know the schedule in advance. I just show up to training and complete the workout that’s been set for me. Around the key sessions, we do easy runs of 10K and exercise training.
Key sessions on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
[Editor’s note] According to articles found in Runner’s World Magazine and Runner’s Tribe and other publications, Kipyegon’s training is characterized by high-intensity group sessions at high altitude, focusing on both speed and endurance.
She trains at the Kaptagat camp in the Kenyan Highlands, which is at an altitude of 2,500 metres. She emphasizes the importance of consistency in her training.
Her training includes:
Long runs: She completes long runs, sometimes up to 40 kms (24 miles), often alongside marathoners in her training camp. These runs are a crucial component for building endurance and stamina, especially for the 1500m event.
Track sessions: She incorporates speed work, including repetitions of 600m and 300m. One observed track workout included 2km in 6:18, followed by three 1km efforts at 3:00 pace, and then seven 400m reps. The last four being faster (64 seconds) than the initial three (66 seconds).
Tempo runs.
Hill workouts: Coach Patrick Sawe has her doing these for strength and power.
Strength and conditioning: She has weekly strength and conditioning training sessions, especially during the off season.
Example weekly breakdown
An example of Kipyegon’s weekly training from before the 2019 season included easy runs with strides, tempo runs, hill workouts, fartlek training, and a long run.
Day Training Focus
Monday: Easy run and strides
Tuesday: Tempo running
Wednesday: Easy run and strides
Thursday: Hill workout
Friday: Easy run and strides
Saturday: Fartlek training
Sunday: Long run
CK: Kenya has a doping problem. Tegla Laroupe had some harsh words for athletes who dope. There is talk of the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya being considered non-compliant by WADA. There is a possible national ban coming in October.
How frustrating is this for you to see the likes of Ruth Chepngetich and many others continue to dope?
FK: I can only speak for myself. I stand strongly for clean sport. It is very disappointing when athletes choose another path, because it affects the whole image of our country and our sport. I want young athletes to know that success is possible through honesty, hard work, and patience.
Racing
CK: Someone will inevitably ask you when or if you will move up in distance, to the 10,000m, half-marathon and the marathon. Do you have a goal for this yet?
FK: Not yet. I’ll discuss it when I restart training.
CK: It has been a long time since you raced cross country. Any chance you will return to this event, or are you done with it?
FK: I love cross country — it’s where I started, and it gives you so much strength. But for now, my main focus is on track. Maybe in the future I can return to cross country again, but not at the moment.
CK: You have won at least 29 races during the Diamond League. This may be the most for a middle-distance runner. Will you continue to race in the league to put the record well out of reach?
FK: I didn’t even know about that! Honestly, my goal is not to chase records like that. The Diamond League is special because it brings the best athletes together, and I enjoy competing.
