The Fastest Mile Ever Run by a Woman and Why It Matters

Watching A Woman Run the Fastest Mile

On June 26, I stood, too excited to sit, in my living room alongside my 14‑year‑old daughter. We were glued to the TV, watching what could have been a stunning breakthrough in the world of sport: Faith Kipyegon’s historic attempt to break the four‑minute barrier in the mile.

Faith Kipyegon is already one of the greatest middle‑distance runners of all time. A two‑time Olympic gold medalist and four‑time world champion in the 1500 m, she shattered the women’s fastest mile world record in July 2023 with a time of 4:07.64 in Monaco.

That performance broke Svetlana Masterkova’s long-standing 1996 record and positioned Faith as the undisputed queen of the mile. Yet, at Nike’s “Breaking4” event in Paris, Faith was attempting something no woman had ever done: run a mile in under four minutes.

Experts and commentators called it impossible—physiologically unlikely, historically unprecedented, too big a leap. However, my daughter and I were glued to the TV.

My daughter, who ran track at her junior high this year and knows what it feels like to push through a mile, joined me. I told her, “You’ve got to see this.”

The Excitement Surrounding the Women’s World Fastest Mile

The lead-up to the race was extraordinary. They used science, technology, and innovation to create the perfect conditions.

Thirteen elite pacers, including 11 men, ran in a wind-shielding V formation.

Faith wore a custom aerodynamic kit, a skin-tight suit, 3D‑printed spikes, and a specially designed sports bra.

The venue: a fast track in Paris with low wind and cool evening air. Every detail had been considered.

The buzz was electric. The commentators were fired up. Even through the screen, it felt like we were watching something magical unfold. And for three laps, she was on pace. We believed Faith Kipyegon was poised to run the fastest mile.

A Nice Surprise When You Dare to Try Running the Fastest Mile

But the sub-four mile didn’t come—at least, not this time. Faith crossed the line in 4:06.42. And while she didn’t break the barrier, she did something extraordinary: she set a new world record, running the fastest mile any woman has ever run.

My first reaction was disappointment. I thought she’d feel the same. I imagined the letdown—the time, money, research, hype. But that feeling lasted about a second.

Because then I saw her smile.

Her pacers congratulated her. The crowd roared. There was no sense of failure—only awe. And suddenly, I felt incredibly proud. Proud of her boldness. Her courage. Her willingness to stand on the starting line, in front of the world, and say, “Watch me try.” She didn’t chase comfort. She chased greatness. She dared—and did so with grace, grit, and joy.

I looked at my daughter and hoped this moment would stick with her. That she’d remember the beauty of going for it, even when the odds are against you. That she’d understand how powerful it is to believe in yourself, to risk falling short, and to keep showing up anyway.

Faith later said, “I dared to try. This one was for all the young girls and women out there… It’s not if, it’s when.”

So whatever your goal—whether it’s to start running, set a PR, qualify for Boston, or simply show up for yourself—let this be your reminder:

Dare to try.

To connect with Coach Steph Christensen, contact her through 80/20 Endurance page.