PARIS, FRANCE, June 26 — In a meticulously choreographed made-for-TV production that Nike likened to a “moonshot,” Faith Kipyegon ran 4:06.42* in her sponsor’s attempt to usher in the sub-4:00 mile era for women.
Kipyegon, already holder of the World Record of 4:07.64, managed, per the official result reported by Nike, to go 1.22 faster in an exhibition that will not count for record status, paced as she was by 13 rabbits, two of them women.
The Kenyan, adorned in aerodynamic clothes and shoes created especially for the moment, hit the first 400 in 60.20. Running alongside Grant Fisher for the first half, and Australian Stewart McSweyn for the last, she was unable to hit the goal pace even in the early stages. Scheduled to hit 1:59.2 at the 800, she passed that marker in 2:00.75.
The next few splits told the story. She ticked off 100 segments of 15.04 and 14.89, hitting 1000 in 2:30.68 (target 2:29.0). All the while she stayed with the green lights, which at some point switched from the sub-4:00 goal pace to her existing WR pace. There was still hope, provided she could summon a big finish, but her face indicated that she was already maxed out. The next 100 took 16.16 for a 1200 split of 3:01.84 (target 2:58.8). She had split 3:06.8 in her WR two years ago.
On the last lap, the world’s greatest miler, holder of more global 1500 golds than any other, hit the proverbial wall. The rabbits on the front end of the pack dispersed (apparently part of the plan) and Kipyegon began to struggle. No 1500 split was given; her target of 3:43.5 was substantially ahead of her World Record of 3:49.04. The remaining rabbits backed off on the final stretch and she hit the line in 4:06.42* (originally announced as 4:06.91).
“Exhausted,” said Kipyegon. “I feel good I tried. I was coming here to try to be the person to go under 4:00, but I have proven that it is possible. It is only a matter of time. It will come. If it is not me, it will be somebody else.”
She added that her own efforts at sub-4:00 are not over. “I will still try. I hope I will get it one day.”
