The Incredible Stats Behind Faith Kipyegon’s Sub-4 Mile Attempt
On June 26, 2025, at Stade Charléty in Paris, Faith Kipyegon ran the fastest mile ever recorded for a woman, clocking in at 4:06.42. Although this performance was an exhibition run with male pacers and unapproved spikes, and thus isn’t an official record, it remains highly impressive. The race aimed to make her the first woman to break four minutes in the mile.
Here are some astonishing statistics from Kipyegon’s breaking of the 4-minute barrier: - She shaved 1.22 seconds off her previous personal best of 4:07.64, which is also the current world record. - Her average split per 400 meters was 61.3 seconds. - During the attempt, her average speed was 14.6 mph — try matching that on a treadmill! - She ran a total of 1609 meters to make history. - The three Olympic gold medals she has won in the 1500 meters (2016, 2021, 2024) highlight her excellence. - According to World Athletics scoring tables, her 4:06.42 mile equates to a men’s performance of 3:42.84. - She used 13 pacers throughout the race. - Her custom Nike Victory Elite FK spikes weigh just 3 grams, about the weight of three paper clips. -
Her daughter, Alyn, is seven years old. - It’s been 71 years since Roger Bannister first broke the four-minute mile, running 3:59.40 in 1954. - The second-fastest woman in history, Sifan Hassan, clocked a 4:12.33 mile. This remarkable feat showcases the incredible progress and potential of women’s middle-distance running, inspiring athletes everywhere.
