On Thursday night in Paris, double Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon will attempt to become the first woman to run a mile in under four minutes, an achievement that would redefine the limits of women’s middle-distance running.
An Elite Cast of Pacemakers
To help her clock this historic time, Faith Kipyegon will be surrounded by a carefully selected team of 12 elite pacemakers, Olympic medalists, national record holders, and Diamond League champions, all primed to deliver precision pacing.
Here’s the full lineup of the international pacemakers backing Kipyegon’s bold bid:
Niels Laros (Netherlands) – Paris 2024 Olympic 1,500m finalist, World U20 record holder (1,000m)
Grant Fisher (USA) – Two-time Olympic bronze medalist, American record holder in 5,000m & 10,000m
Craig Engels (USA) – Accomplished middle-distance runner with a 3:51.60 mile personal best
Stewart McSweyn (Australia) – Four-time Diamond League winner, 2020 Olympic 1,500m finalist
Jemma Reekie (Great Britain) – 2024 World Indoor 800m silver medalist, Olympic finalist
Georgia Bell (Great Britain) – Paris 2024 Olympic 1,500m bronze medalist, 2025 World Indoor medalist
Halima Nakaayi (Uganda) – 2019 World 800m champion, 2022 World Indoor medalist
Cooper Teare (USA) – Former NCAA 5,000m champion
Elliot Giles (Great Britain) – Four-time British 800m champion
Wyclife Kinyamal (Kenya) – Two-time Commonwealth Games 800m champion, six-time Diamond League winner
Stefan Nillessen (Netherlands) – Dutch 1,500m record holder, 2023 European U23 champion
Cathal Doyle (Ireland) – Three-time Irish 1,500m champion
Faith Kipyegon will also be joined by several of her Kenyan training partners in this coordinated effort.
This ambitious attempt draws inspiration from Eliud Kipchoge’s Breaking2 marathon project in 2017. Just like Kipchoge’s run, Kipyegon’s record chase will feature precision pacing, optimized track conditions, and advanced Nike footwear tailored for speed.
The event will unfold at Stade Sébastien Charléty in Paris, the same venue where Faith Kipyegon previously broke both her 1,500m and 5,000m world records in 2023. To succeed, she must lower her current mile world record by a massive 7.65 seconds.
How to Watch Faith Kipyegon’s Breaking4 Attempt
Nike has opened the doors to fans eager to witness history live from the stands in Paris. Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. East African Time, with programming kicking off at 8 p.m.. Faith Kipyegon is expected to take to the track at 9 p.m. EAT.
For global fans, a livestream broadcast will be available via:
- Nike’s YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Douyin accounts
- Prime Video starting at 8:15 p.m. EAT
A replay will be accessible after the live broadcast for those who miss the action.
Beyond the race, Nike has partnered with Box To Box Films to produce a limited-series documentary chronicling Kipyegon’s journey. The documentary will stream in over 11 languages on Prime Video, offering an intimate look into her preparation, the science behind Breaking4, and the power of belief.
Should Kipyegon break the four-minute barrier, it will mark one of the most significant milestones in athletics history.
