It’s not everyday someone looks at the benchmark - at the greatest of all time - and says “I can do that. In fact, I can do better.” But today in Paris, linking up with Nike for Breaking4, that’s what runner Faith Kipyegon did. Faith’s aim? To become the first woman in history to run a mile in under 4 minutes. Before today, her personal best was 4 minutes, 7.64 seconds, so as hundreds of people pulled up to Stade Sébastien Charléty - the same stadium where she’s won gold before - there was a sense that anything could happen.
There was a similar atmosphere back in 2019 at Breaking2, when Nike linked up with Eliud Kipchoge to make his dream of breaking the two-hour marathon barrier a reality. On the 12th October 2019, with the support of Nike Sport Research Lab scientists, he completed a marathon in 1:59:40. Likewise, at Breaking4, Nike was going to do everything it could to help Faith beat her own world record and become the first woman to run a mile in 4 minute mile. Working with Nike’s teams to develop the technology that could help her achieve her goal, Faith not only had confidence in herself and her support network, but also in Nike’s innovation. And trust, she was in good hands.
Nike debuted never-been-seen-before gear for Faith’s attempt, working closely with her to establish exactly what she needed to do what’s never been done before. Her footwear, a Nike Victory Elite FK spike built to her exact specifications, was designed to be as light as physically possible, with one shoe weighing as little as 90 grams, and the upper alone weighing as much as 3 paper clips.
She was fitted out in a first-of-its-kind Nike Fly Suit that features Nike’s newly innovated “3D-printed aeronodes,” placed on the bodysuit’s chest and thighs - the least aerodynamic areas of the body. The nodes are designed to move in a way so that the air flows off Faith’s body as she runs, reducing friction. Her Nike FlyWeb Bra - also the first of its kind - was designed to reduce the heat on her chest, and made of a revolutionary 3D-printed performance material that means she’s carrying the minimal weight possible.
Although Faith didn’t get the record she wanted, she walked away from today still the best in the world at what she does. She broke her own record, finishing with a landmark time of 4:06:42, setting the bar even higher for herself and those to follow, and she’s still the most decorated woman middle-distance athlete of all time. After her attempt, Faith said, “in beating my previous record, I’ve shown the world what I’ve long known: there’s always a faster time. I hope my Breaking4 journey inspires the next generation to look beyond what’s said to be impossible."
As a Nike athlete, Faith gets the brand’s iconic slogan: “Just Do It.” While Faith didn’t manage to become the first woman in history to best the 4 minute mile today, her “Just Do It” mentality - the mentality that urged her to try, and empowered her to believe - will remain with her, and inspire other young women to “Just Do It” too.
Featured image via Nike©
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