Faith Kipyegon Misses Ksh13M Reward from Athlos Boss But Wins Hearts For Daring To Dream

Faith Kipyegon had been promised Ksh13 million by Athlos boss Alexis Ohanian (Inset) if she broke fou-minute mile. Photo: Imago

Faith Kipyegon Misses Ksh13M Reward from Athlos Boss But Wins Hearts For Daring To Dream

Joel Omotto 07:53 - 27.06.2025

Faith Kipyegon fell short of the four-minute mile during her Breaking4 attempt on Thursday, missing the Ksh13 million promised to her by Athlos founder, but she won plenty of plaudits.

Faith Kipyegon fell agonizingly short of the four-minute mile barrier mark when her attempt to be the first woman to run a sub-four-minute mile was not successful.

Kipyegon raced against the clock at Stade Charlety in Paris, France on Thursday but could only manage 4:06.42, which was 1.22 seconds faster than her world record, in pursuit of the momentous feat.

The 31-year-old was helped by a team of 12 pacemakers, male and women, some who have won Olympics medals and won Diamond League titles.

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She was, however, not successful but vowed to try out again next time while throwing the challenge to other runners to dare to dream.

Kipyegon’s feat earned her plenty of plaudits and also cash from sponsors but she missed out on an extra Ksh13 million payday due from Athlos founder Alexis Ohanian.

Ohanian Had Promised Bumper Reward

Faith Kipyegon fell short of four-minute mile in Paris. Photo: Imago

“We’ve got $100K on @Kipyegon_Faith to break the world record!! And you better believe we’ll swiftly wire (just like for all our Athlos athletes at our record-breaking meet last year),” Alexis Ohanian had posted on X on Tuesday.

Ohanian, who is the husband to tennis legend Serena Williams, had promised to reward her with the $100,000 (Ksh13 million) if she broke the four-minute mile barrier but that will have to wait for another time although he was still left in awe of Kipyegon’s feat.

“Even without breaking 4, she dared to try and got so close — watching this was a family affair,” Ohanian said on X after Kipyegon’s race.

Kipyegon was still saluted nonetheless for going where no one else went.

“This took Faith, guts and sheer bravery. Faith Kipyegon dared to try — pushing the limits of this great sport — and showed everyone that dreaming to do the impossible is a WIN in itself,” Athlos also shared in a tweet.

Faith Kipyegon Lauded for Her Bravery

Faith Kipyegon earned plaudits for daring to dream. Photo: Imago

World Athletics and her sponsors Nike, who were behind the Breaking4 attempt also lauded the mother of one.

“Chasing history, creating legacy. Still the fastest mile run by a woman in history, @Kipyegon_Faith gives everything in her quest to break the 4 ️-minute mile and stops the clock at 4:06.42. Thank you, Faith, for making us dream. Maybe not today, but soon,” was World Athletics’ response.

“Faith Kipyegon had the audacity to dream of doing the impossible. The fastest woman to ever run the mile just ran it faster at #Breaking4, pushing the world closer to the 4-minute barrier. It’s not a matter of if a woman will break 4, it’s when,” Nike posted on X.

Kipyegon will now take some rest before embarking on her preparations for the rest of the season with the World Championships in Tokyo in September firmly in her sights.