Overview

• On June 26 at Stade Charléty in Paris, Kipyegon ran a mile in 4:06.42, marking the fastest mile ever recorded by a woman.
• Nike’s Breaking4 exhibition featured an aerodynamic skinsuit, ultra-light Victory 2 Elite FK spikes, Wavelight pacing lights and a phalanx of mostly male pacemakers to optimize performance.
• Despite eclipsing her own 2023 record, World Athletics will not ratify the 4:06.42 mark because the event’s unofficial format and use of male pacemakers violate record rules.
• Kipyegon said she remains committed to chasing a sub-four-minute mile in sanctioned competitions and believes the barrier will fall within the next decade.
• The Breaking4 effort builds on pacing models like Eliud Kipchoge’s sub-two-hour marathon and underscores growing investment in technology and strategy for women’s middle-distance running.