Kenyan Pacemaker Dissects What Went Wrong for Faith Kipyegon in Failed Sub-Four-Minute Mile Attempt

Faith Kipyegon during her sub-four-minute mile run attempt.

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Faith Kipyegon during her sub-four-minute mile run attempt.

Kenyan Pacemaker Dissects What Went Wrong for Faith Kipyegon in Failed Sub-Four-Minute Mile Attempt

Stephen Awino 12:30 - 13.07.2025

Martin Keino has broken down what derailed Faith Kipyegon’s sub-four-minute mile attempt.

Kenya’s legendary middle-distance runner Faith Kipyegon attempted to rewrite history in Paris this July by becoming the first woman to run a mile under four minutes.

Despite her unmatched resume, including three Olympic gold medals and world records in the mile and 5000m, the bold attempt fell short.

Now, Martin Keino, a former elite pacemaker and son of running icon Kipchoge Keino, has offered a detailed analysis of why the attempt did not succeed.

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Too Many Pacers, Not Enough Precision

Faith Kipyegon
Faith Kipyegon came up short in her sub-four-minute mile attempt.

Keino, who helped set the stage for seven world records between 1990 and 2005, believes that the mile event in Paris was fundamentally flawed in its setup.

“Faith had thirteen pacers around her. That’s not support, that’s a traffic jam,” Keino wrote in a critical analysis for TRT Global.

“Too many runners can block an athlete’s rhythm, limit her view, and restrict her natural stride.”

According to Keino, optimal pacing requires no more than four carefully positioned athletes, two in front to break the wind, one alongside for rhythm, and one behind for psychological support. Crucially, they should exit the track with 200 meters to go, allowing the athlete to finish unencumbered.

In contrast, the Paris race focused heavily on visual flair and advanced technology, features that Keino says detracted from what Kipyegon really needed which is space, rhythm, and control.

Physical Limits, Strategic Missteps, and a Lack of Racing Edge

Faith Kipyegon
Faith Kipyegon broke the women's 1500m world record at the Eugene Diamond League Faith Kipyegon set the 1500m world record.

Keino also highlighted the steep challenge Faith faced.

To break four minutes, she needed to shave nearly eight seconds off her current mile world record of 4:07.64, a massive leap by middle-distance standards.

Physiologically, Kipyegon’s best 800m time of 1:57.68 raised another concern.

“A sub-four-mile pace demands roughly 59 seconds per lap. Athletes who can comfortably run that pace often have 800m personal bests around 1:55,” Keino explained.

“Faith might not yet have the pure speed mix to sustain that kind of pace.”

Tactically, the third lap, known for being the most punishing, was where Kipyegon needed the most support, but the chaotic pacing may have offered little help during that critical stretch.

Moreover, Keino believes that Faith’s training did not fully adjust for such a high-risk attempt.

“What made her a world champion may not be enough to cross a barrier never touched by a woman. New records require new strategies.”

He also pointed to her limited race exposure in 2025 of just one 1000m outing as a factor that may have left her mentally and physically under-tuned for such an aggressive performance.

A Missed Opportunity, But Not the End

Faith Kipyegon
Faith Kipyegon

Despite the missed mark, Keino is adamant that Kipyegon can achieve the historic sub-four-minute milestone, if the setup prioritizes her needs over camera appeal.

“The next time has to be different,” he added.

“Give her fewer pacers, more precision, and a race tailored for the athlete, not the audience. That’s how you make history.”

As one of the most accomplished female runners of all time, Faith Kipyegon has both the mental fortitude and physical prowess to continue chasing records. But Keino’s take is a cautionary reminder that even the greatest athletes need the right environment to shine.