Fast Women: How close can Faith Kipyegon get to a sub-4:00 mile?
Remember the name Natalie Dumas.
Issue 356, sponsored by the Flagpole Hill Fund
Faith Kipyegon vs. The 4-Minute Mile
This Thursday, at Stade Charléty in Paris, Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon will attempt to become the first woman to break 4:00 in the mile. In some ways, the event feels like a charade. It is extremely unlikely that Kipyegon, 31, who has been doing just about everything she can to run the 1500m and mile as fast as she can for years, is suddenly going to shave 7.65 seconds off of her mile time.
But by framing the event as a sub-4:00 attempt, Nike has gotten a lot more people invested in finding out how fast Kipyegon can go. Kipyegon set the mile world record of 4:07.64 in July 2023, and she also set the 1500m world record of 3:49.04 in July 2024, which is worth about 4:06.50 in the mile, according to World Athletics’ scoring tables.
Nike hasn’t announced specific pacing plans—who the pacers will be, the formation they will run in, and what splits they will aim for—for Thursday’s attempt. But on Friday, part one of Breaking4: Faith Kipyegon vs. The 4-Minute Mile premiered on Prime Video, and it showed five Kenyan male pacers, including Kipyegon’s training partner, Bernard Soi, and 1:42 800m runner Wychife Kinyamal, practicing running in a set formation, to help Kipyegon draft off of them.
It seems safe to say that most women’s world records on the track would be faster if male pacers were allowed, especially because they can go the entire distance. So if male pacers are used on Thursday, that alone should make Kipyegon faster than she has been before (assuming her fitness is similar to what it has been in the past). Unless of course the pacers a) accidentally get in her way, or b) take her out at a pace that proves to be too ambitious, and she ties up significantly at the end.
Kipyegon will be wearing a special speedsuit and the Nike Victory Elite FK spike. While both might help her go a little faster, I expect the pacing/drafting to make a bigger difference, because it’s a bigger departure from what she has done in past races. Kipyegon confirmed in a press conference on Wednesday that she wore a version of the shoe when she ran 2:29.21 for 1,000 meters in April.
In this Outside piece from June 12, Alex Hutchinson reported that the earlier version of the spike had been through the World Athletics approval process, but the ones she will race in on Thursday will not be World Athletics approved, because the team wants to be able to tweak them right up until race day. That alone will mean this attempt is not world record-eligible. But so would male pacers, assuming that is the plan.
The attempt will stream live on Nike’s YouTube channel beginning at 1:15 p.m. ET on Thursday. (Kudos to anyone who can get their co-workers invested and watching.) The stream will also be available on Nike’s Instagram, TikTok, and Douyin accounts, as well as Prime Video.
Other Notes on Kipyegon’s sub-4:00 mile attempt
If nothing else comes from all of this, the project has been successful in getting Kipyegon more media attention than she would otherwise receive. Getting Breaking4: Faith Kipyegon vs. The 4-Minute Mile on Prime Video, and not hidden away in some running-specific corner of the internet, is a major accomplishment. The first episode did a good job of putting the attempt into context, and I enjoyed seeing the scenes from her training camp and some of the behind-the-scenes effort that has gone into this project.
Though the Royal Society Open Science paper that got more people talking about Kipyegon breaking 4:00 wasn’t published until February and Breaking4 wasn’t announced until the end of April, the first episode of the limited series makes it clear that this has been in the works since at least last fall.
On a hot day at the end of February, Kipyegon dropped out of the Sirikwa Classic, a 10K race in Eldoret. It didn’t seem like a huge deal at the time, but knowing now that there was a film crew there getting footage for the series and members of the Nike team were in town, there was an additional layer of pressure and there must have been at least some concern about whether Kipyegon would be ready.
In last week’s press conference, Kipyegon said she hasn’t changed anything about her training leading into this attempt. That makes sense, because I imagine she is already doing everything in her power to run as fast as possible, sub-4:00 attempt or not. It was interesting to see Hutchinson write in the aforementioned Outside article that she has tried bicarb in some of her previous races, but no word on whether she will use it on Thursday.
Though it was already clear that Carrie Dimoff, who ran professionally through 2021, was the footwear lead for this project, it was interesting to see the variety of ways in which she was involved. When Kipyegon was recovering after the Sirikwa Classic, Dimoff stepped in as a body double, so the pacers could practice running in formation even without Kipyegon.
Because all signs suggest she is still getting faster, I have no doubt that a fit and healthy Kipyegon can further improve her mile time by a significant amount. For one, she doesn’t race the mile often, so she can shave off some time just by bringing her mile time in line with her 1500m time. The pacers and the tailored-to-her shoes and speedsuit should also help. So should the fact that this attempt is solely about running fast. While that can sometimes be a goal in racing, it’s rarely the sole focus. In removing competitors from the race, there’s less to think about in terms of making sure to get out quickly and get a good spot on the rail, or making sure not to overcommit on the pace, so no one runs her down at the end. As long as she finishes, Kipyegon is guaranteed the win. On the minus side, there’s also a thrill involved with competing that might be harder to replicate here. I hope people see value in witnessing this in person and Nike is able to fill the stadium. It’s also a heck of a lot of pressure to put on one run. But if anyone can handle it, it’s Kipyegon.
Thanks to the Flagpole Hill Fund for supporting Fast Women this month
This month, Flagpole Hill Fund is proud to recognize individuals and organizations that are using running to improve lives and improving lives for runners.
Students Run Philly Style (SRPS) transforms students’ lives through mentorship over miles of long-distance running and achievement. SRPS pairs youth in grades 6-12, with adult, volunteer mentors to train for the ultimate challenge: running a long-distance race. SRPS partners with nearly 60 Philadelphia schools and community partners to serve more than 1,300 youth and more than 400 volunteers each year.
Through mentoring, running and goal setting, SRPS provides youth with opportunities to access inclusive physical activity, build self-esteem and establish positive connections within their community. SRPS is a free program that includes race entries, running shoes, gear and transportation to and from race events for all participants.
SRPS created MileUp, a diversion program offered in partnership with the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, which uses SRPS’ sport-based mentorship model to support youth aged 11-17 facing misdemeanor or felony charges. Youth and mentors train toward milestones that help remove systemic barriers, including restitution and record expungement.
Remember the name Natalie Dumas
What New Jersey high school junior Natalie Dumas accomplished at New Balance Nationals in Philadelphia over the weekend will go down as one of the greatest triples in U.S. high school track and field history. In three close races, she pulled off wins in the 400m hurdles on Friday (55.99), the 400m on Saturday (51.14), and the 800m on Sunday (2:00.11). All three performances were meet records, and they all rank her in the top 10 on the U.S. high school all-time list.
Dumas pulled off the same triple at New Jersey’s Meet of Champions, but duplicating it at the national level is phenomenal. She also anchored her Eastern Regional team to a runner-up finish in the sprint medley relay on Friday, splitting 2:03.90 for 800m.
In the 800m, she had a tough battle with Michigan senior Emmry Ross, who improved her PR to 2:00.25. Dumas PRed by 2.64 seconds. And in the 400m, she dove/fell across the line in dramatic fashion, which meant that she didn’t even break the finish tape. It’s clear she knows how to do whatever it takes to win.
Also impressive at New Balance Nationals was Union Catholic (NJ) sophomore Paige Sheppard, who won the mile in 4:33.67, with a 63.04-second final 400m. And at Nike Outdoor Nationals, Timpview (UT) senior Jane Hedengren narrowly broke her own 3,000m high school and American U20 record, running 8:40.03. She set the previous mark, 8:40.99, 13 days earlier, en route to her record-setting 9:17.75 two-mile. The gaps between high school, college, and pro times seem to be shrinking by the day. (NBNO Results | Replay of Dumas’ 800m | NON Results)
Faith Cherotich keeps her win streak alive, and Angelina Napoleon’s dream season continues
The steeplechase at the Paris Diamond League meet was fantastic. Kenya’s Faith Cherotich, 20, is getting really good at battling to the line in this event. She remained undefeated, fighting off a challenge from Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai, 8:53.37 to 8:54.41.
All three Americans in the race, Gabbi Jennings (fourth, 9:08.05), Courtney Wayment (fifth, 9:08.88), and Angelina Napoleon (seventh, 9:10.72) ran really strong races. Jennings and Wayment were just off their PRs, and six days after running an 11-second PR to take third at NCAAs, Napoleon improved her time by another 5.94 seconds..
She told Citius Mag afterward that she’s going to try to make the world championship team. That wasn’t her original plan, she said, but her mindset shifted after NCAAs. I mentioned this last week, but it’s worth repeating: She began the season as a 9:54 steeplechaser.
Kenya’s Nelly Chepchirchir won the 1500m in a world-leading 3:57.02, and she had plenty of competition right behind her as the top five all ran 3:57. (Results)
Anna Gibson, Jennifer Lichter, and Joyce Njeru earn Broken Arrow wins
There was a lot of excitement over the weekend as the Broken Arrow Skyrace Ascent, 46K, and 23K, held over three days, helped select the athletes who will represent the U.S. at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in September.
Anna Gibson, who has had a very busy racing schedule recently, dominated the Ascent, and Sydney Petersen (fourth), Hillary Allen (sixth), and Jessica Brazeau (seventh) also made Team USA. (The race included international athletes as well.) Incredibly, 12-year-old Pema Franchi Antelme of Ecuador finished fifth.
Jennifer Lichter won the 46K in a course record of 4:42:32 and Helen Mino Faukner (4:43:08) and Dani Moreno (4:43:48) finished close behind. All three earned spots on Team USA, though it sounds like there might be some shifting if athletes opt to run different races at worlds or pass on their spots. Though the first 163 runners were able to finish the 46K, the event was canceled mid-race, due to snow and lightning nearby, and more than half the field was unable to finish.
Two days after finishing second in the Ascent, Kenya’s Joyce Njeru won the 23K in a course record of 2:01:16. The race wasn’t a Team USA selection event, but it was part of both the Golden Trail World Series and the Mountain Running World Cup. Romania’s Mădălina Florea took second (2:02:03), Gibson was third (2:03:46), and Lauren Gregory was fourth (2:06:02).
Jessie Diggins, who has an incredible resume in cross country skiing, does what she calls a “big stupid” adventure each year. She explained that the adventures aren’t necessarily wise from a training standpoint, but they fill her soul. This year, she opted to do Broken Arrow’s triple crown, which meant running all three races. She held her own, finishing fifth among the triple crown participants. (Results | Good podcast with the top three 46K finishers)
Other News
Running pioneer Nina Kuscsik died on June 8, at age 86, but the news wasn’t shared more widely until last Monday. Of the many tributes to her that were published last week, The New York Times’ (gift link) is my favorite. I also appreciated what another great, Lynn Jennings, wrote on Kuscsik’s tribute wall. It began, “Nina forced open the doors so my cohort could race through. We raced with her cheering us on, a tailwind of grand proportion.”
No surprise since social media posts have shown her working out with them, but Emily Mackay announced last week that she has joined the Boulder-based Union Athletics Club and she will be coached by Pete Julian. Though she’s no longer with New Balance Boston, she is still sponsored by New Balance.
The Lexington Herald-Leader reported last week that assistant cross country and track coach Hakon DeVries has been suspended with pay, and the school’s Office of Equal Opportunity, which reviews discrimination and harassment complaints, is conducting an investigation. The article also revealed that he was investigated in 2023 as well, after student-athletes accused him of making inappropriate comments about athletes’ bodies. He received a two-day unpaid suspension and underwent mandatory training. It’s interesting that this has gone public, because these investigations are often kept quiet.
Four days after winning the NCAA 1500m title, Ireland and UW’s Sophie O’Sullivan implied in an Instagram post that her trophy from said win has gone missing somewhere on London’s public transportation network. In the comments, someone wrote, “Only you would lose your trophy.” And O’Sullivan replied, “We can actually thank [my mom] for that.”
Last week, Artiken announced that they’ve signed an NIL deal with a Kenyan athlete who is in the NCAA, but they cannot disclose who it’s with, because that athlete is on an F-1 visa. They said they are using this opportunity to raise awareness about the issue and advocate for change. I don’t know the details of anyone’s deal, but a number of companies seem to be finding ways to work around the rules, because quite a few international track & field athletes seem to have backing from brands.
Alison Mariella Désir, Stefanie Flippin, and Verna NezBegay Volker are launching a trail running podcast called Earthmovers in August. Leading up to the launch, you can follow them on Instagram and/or support their Kickstarter.
Fast Company published a Q&A between Nikki Hiltz and ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio on trans equality.
The Boston Marathon announced last week that starting with the 2027 race, qualifying times run on courses with a net downhill of 1,500–2,999 feet will be subject to a five-minute time adjustment, courses with a net downhill of 3,000–5,999 feet will be adjusted by 10 minutes, and courses with 6,000 feet of net downhill or more will not be eligible for qualifying purposes. I’ve seen so many hot takes on this that I really don’t feel compelled to add my own, but this seems like a step in the right direction. In contrast, to earn a qualifier for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, athletes need to race on courses that lose no more than 3.30 m/km on average, which comes out to a maximum net elevation loss of about 460 feet. (Which makes the Boston Marathon course just barely eligible.)
Washington State isn’t cutting its track & field program, but the school announced last week that it will be a distance-focused program going forward. Field event athletes will no longer be supported, and there will be a limited number of sprint and hurdle opportunities. The Spokesman-Review and HeraldNet have more details. It’s a shame, but they’re not the first school to do something of the sort, nor will they be the last, unfortunately. I just hope that as these sorts of opportunities are taken away from athletes, others will find ways to create new opportunities.
Last week, Furman coach Rita Gary tweeted that she has drafted proposals for the NCAA and USTFCCCA focusing on age eligibility reform and zero tolerance for doping in NCAA track & field, which both sound like ideas worth considering. But the conversation quickly turned ugly. Alabama coach Nick Stenuf wrote in a response to Gary, “You need to fight the system and stop attacking the kids.” Gary replied, “I’m not attacking the athletes. I’m attacking the people that are purchasing them. I am attacking YOU.”
NCAA 5,000m runner-up Vera Sjöberg, formerly of Boston University, will continue her collegiate career at UNC.
Emily Lipari announced last week that she is 19 weeks pregnant with her first child.
Claudia Saunders announced her retirement from professional track & field.
The California International Marathon will host the 2025 and 2026 USATF Marathon Championships. And any U.S. athletes who hit Olympic Marathon Trials qualifying times at CIM will earn a $500 bonus.
I learned this on TikTok (and also fact-checked it) so I will credit my source, but in the boys’ championship 4 x mile at Nike Outdoor Nationals, officials miscounted the laps, so some athletes ran three laps instead of four, some ran five, and some even ran six. Good stress dream material for both the athletes and the officials.
Actor Anthony Ramos is the celebrity who Des Linden is coaching for the 2025 New York City Marathon.
Additional Results
Racing in Boston for the first time since her Boston Marathon win, Kenya’s Sharon Lokedi won the Boston 10K in 31:39, finishing just 0.08 seconds ahead of fellow Kenyan Gladys Kwanboka. Emily Sisson was also right there, taking third in 31:42 on a humid morning. Tatyana McFadden won the wheelchair race in 26:48. (Results)
The breeze coming off of Lake Superior helps keep the Grandma’s Marathon course in Duluth, Minnesota, cooler than it otherwise would be, but the hot and humid conditions for this year’s race were far from ideal. Kenya’s Lilian Chebii jumped out to a lead from the start and stayed there, winning in a PR of 2:25:14. Aubrey Frentheway finished second in 2:27:14, taking 8:33 off of her PR despite the challenging conditions. Paige Wood (third, 2:30:24), Makena Morley (fourth, 2:30:56), and Rebeca Schmitt (fifth, 2:33:58) rounded out the top five. (Results)
Training partners Annie Frisbie and Dakotah Popehn battled back and forth throughout the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon held the same day, with Frisbie repeating as champion, 1:09:05 to 1:09:13. (Results)
At Sunday’s Elliott Denman New Jersey International T&F Meet, Ajee’ Wilson ran her best race of the year by far, winning the 800m in 1:58.76—her first sub-2:00 in two years. Behind her, McKenna Keegan (1:59.73) and Kassidy Johnson (2:00.78) also ran PRs. (Results)
At Finland’s Paavo Nurmi Games, Canada’s Gabriela DeBues-Stafford won the 1500m in 4:02.00 (race replay). Americans Helen Schlachtenhaufen (4:04.70) and Eleanor Fulton (4:05.79) were fifth and ninth. Switzerland’s Audrey Werro won the 800m (1:59.39) and Sage Hurta-Klecker was third in 1:59.58. Tunisia’s Marwa Bouzayani won the steeplechase (9:19.46) and Olivia Markezich was fourth in 9:26.55. (Results)
At France’s Meeting International d'Athlétisme de Troyes Aube, Great Britain’s Erin Wallace won the 1500m in 4:02.74 and Australia’s Bendere Oboya won the 800m in 2:00.16. (Results)
Olivia Baker edged out Emily Richards to win the Royal City Inferno 800m in Guelph, Ontario. Both were timed in 2:01.17. (Results)
At the USATF Masters 1 Mile Road Championships, Michelle Rohl, 59, was the first runner across the finish line. According to her husband, her time, pre-rounding, was a record-setting 5:09.73. (Results)
Podcast Highlights
On The Runna Podcast, I loved hearing South Africa’s Dom Scott tell the story of filling her pockets with candy and eating it along the way in her first-ever cross country race. It was also interesting hearing her discuss focusing on the kind of marathon training that makes her feel good going forward, rather than trying to force more traditional marathon training to work for her. She had a lot of good insights in general.
It was interesting to hear Podium Athletics host Rich Newman say (around the 17:40 mark) that there have been rumors that there could be a Saudi investment in Grand Slam Track. I’m taking that with a grain of salt, but the hosts are much more in the know than I am, and it’s interesting that it’s being discussed in their circles. The Coffee Club podcast hosts said (24:20 mark) that the athletes were told that GST lost an investor. Last week, GST announced a new partnership with Sundial Media & Technology Group.
It was good to get an Erika Kemp update, which you can listen to on either Relay (which she has joined as a co-host) or I’ll Have Another last week. And now I know that she might be reading this newsletter, but mainly to see what I have to say about her friends.
It was interesting to hear Ben Rosario say on The Directors that now he has the Marathon Project up and running, he doesn’t think it needs to be a full-time job, so he has also taken a position teaching middle school social studies and English in Phoenix, which he will start in August. I am all for mid-life career changes, and I imagine having both, while challenging, will take some of the pressure off of the success of the Marathon Project.
Girls on the Run founder Molly Barker was on Starting Line 1928. Random fact: In 1999, a friend and I started a short-lived GOTR program in New York City. GOTR was so small at that time that the training involved going to North Carolina and being trained by Barker herself.
Thanks again to the Flagpole Hill Fund for supporting Fast Women this month. I hope you all have the best week possible.
Alison
Typo: Helen was 4:43:08 in the Broken Arrow 46k. It's exciting when a trail running US team selection is a closer race than the marathon Olympic Trials!
Heres a video of Vera Sjoberg competing in a 1500 in Canada. Good race! https://youtu.be/WNkkY39LPAY?si=cLTQ-R_TVDdq9q6S