It's yet another moment of faith as Kipyegon aims to inspire the world

Cometh the hour, cometh the queen of track running! On Thursday evening, history is set to unfold as three-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon attempts to run sub- four minutes in the women’s Mile.

For an athlete who has shattered world records and broken barriers, daring to be the first woman to run under-4 minutes in the distance is a gigantic dream and a moment to cement her legacy.

="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sports/features/article/2001500356/www.digger.co.ke">At 9pm this Under the illuminating anti-glare lights of the iconic Stade Charléty in Paris, France, the four-time world champion will use the under-4 minute attempt in the Mile to deliver another milestone.

A sneak peek into her training regimen, Kipyegon displayed a picture of a woman determined to send a strong message to the world; that smashing the 4-minute barrier is possible tonight.

When it was revealed by Nike in April that Kipyegon was ready for the attempt, the decision captured the attention of an athletics world that was eagerly waiting to see her continue the winning streaks in the Diamond League circuit that was just about to kick off.

From long runs alongside her training mates at Global Sports in Kaptagat, to speed works at the camp and the Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret and to the gym exercises, Kipyegon did the hardest bit and hopes the cheering squads invited from many parts of the world will cheer her to history.

Ahead of her trip to Paris for tonight’s battle with history, Kipyegon had indicated that she was ready to dare break the glass ceiling.

The 1500m world record holder said she understood the nature of the assignment well.

="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sports/women-in-sports/article/2001517398/faith-kipyegon-eyes-firstever-womens-mile-under-four-minutes">“For a woman to Kipyegon went on to state: “I know it is going to be a tough one. It is not easy, it is something to try.

“People say dare to try. So, I’m going to dare to try to be the first woman to run under four minutes in the Mile. That’s what I’m looking forward to.”

="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sports/amp/athletics/article/2001506818/faith-kipyegon-awarded-honorary-doctor-of-education-degree">She has already tested Further, Kipyegon got enough motivation from two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge who successfully ran the historic INEOS 1:59 challenge and became the first man to run sub-two hours in the marathon in October 2019.

Eldoret, the City of Champions is getting set for a magnificent night; many people hoping to catch a glimpse of history.

During the INEOS 1:59 Challenge, a mammoth crowd of athletics enthusiasts, never seen in the history of the city, filled the intersection of Uganda Road and Iten Road to follow the attempt through a giant screen.

But tonight, night clubs will host the huge numbers of athletics fans, with some entertainment joints hosting watch parties from as early as 6.30pm, two and half hours before action.

Olympic champions among them Ezekiel Kemboi and Asbel Kiprop are among Kenyan stars who have confirmed their watch-party spots in Eldoret.

Kipyegon – a mother of one (seven-year-old Alyn) is the world record holder in the Mile, and is looking to achieve a feat that was once considered an impossible limitation and has, until now, remained beyond the reach of the world’s most elite women athletes.

She will attempt to shave at least 7.65 seconds off her personal best of 4:07.64, set in 2023, to become the first woman to break the threshold Roger Bannister first surpassed roughly 70 years ago.

She chose to attempt the milestone as a challenge distinct from her dominance in the 1,500-meter run, for which she also holds the world record, and to further cement her legacy as the most decorated woman middle-distance athlete of all time.

In pursuing the historic sub-4 minute feat, Kipyegon will be pushing the limits of athletics beyond what’s long believed to be achievable, setting the stage for future generations to dream big.

And for Kipyegon, motivating the young generation of women, including her daughter, that it’s possible to achieve goals that seem impossible is the key focus.

A massive team of Nike innovators, scientists, designers and dreamers have been working tirelessly behind the scenes and pouring in everything they have to make the impossible possible for Breaking4 — Faith Kipyegon’s audacious attempt to shatter the 4-minute mile. They’ve chased new ideas. They’ve navigated doubt. They’ve trusted their instincts and each other.

Double Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet and former world Javelin champion Julius Yego are among several who have wished Kipyegon well in tonight’s attempt.

“You know you have motivated many young women out here, go there as a strong woman. We believe in you and we pray for you,” Chebet said in a recorded video.