'Will Be a Beautiful Year'- Faith Kipyegon Reveals Strategy to Make Mile History in June

Faith Kipyegon has explained what she will do to make history as the first woman to complete a mile race in under four minutes in June.

Faith Kipyegon has explained what it will take to become the first woman to complete a mile race in under four minutes after accepting a first-of-a-kind challenge earlier this year.

Kipyegon, who opened her season by soaring to victory in the 1500 meters at the Xiamen Diamond League, recently shared her optimism and determination for the year ahead, emphasising the importance of staying healthy as she prepares for uncharted territory.

“I said 2025 will be a beautiful year and I hope to stay injury-free and just healthy towards, you know, trying what I'm a woman I've never tried before — which is one mile,” she said after winning in Xiamen.

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports

The mile, a distance slightly longer than her trademark 1500m, remains one of the few frontiers where no woman has yet broken the four-minute barrier. Kipyegon’s current mile personal best is 4:07.64, though she holds the 1500m world record at 3:49.11 — making her the most likely candidate to threaten the sub-four milestone.

Despite the long-term ambition, the 30-year-old remains grounded in the present, focusing on her training and enjoying the start of the season.

“The training has been good so far. I hope to continue healthy, injury-free, and just focus myself towards a beautiful 2025.”

Kipyegon was also quick to manage expectations, stating that while plans are in motion, nothing is set in stone just yet.

“At the moment it’s not sure. I just announced and we will come out with many, many news. But as for now, it’s just to enjoy the opening of the season and see what’s next.”

Date with Destiny: June 26 in Paris

In April, the 31-year-old from Keringettt, Kenya, revealed her intentions to challenge the mythologised mark in a social media post, writing:

“I don’t believe it’s a matter of if a woman can break 4 minutes in the mile. It’s a matter of when we will do it.”

For Kipyegon, that date could be 26 June at Stade Charléty in Paris, France. On that day, she’ll line up for a specially optimised women’s mile race as part of a one-off attempt to shatter the glass ceiling in women’s distance running. The conditions will be at their best, putting the spotlight firmly on the Kenyan superstar.

“I want this attempt to say to women, ‘You can dream and make your dreams valid,’” she told Nike. “This is the way to go as women, to push boundaries and dream big.”

If Kipyegon does make a serious attempt at the sub-four mile, it would be yet another barrier broken by the Kenyan superstar, who continues to redefine what’s possible in women’s middle-distance running.