by Perri Williams
The build-up has been intense. Intrigue, scepticism and hope have surrounded the Sub 4-mile attempt by Faith Kipyegon. Today at Stade Charlety in France where she has set previous world records, she made her gallant attempt. The end result 4:06.42 the fastest mile ever run by a female. The clock may not have shown 3:59 but it was a remarkable moment for science and possibility. For women who dare to dream.
The gun went off, the pacers in formation donned in pink and purple singlets. Grant Fisher running right beside her. Keeping with the green lights she hit 400m in 60.2 seconds. The set up was perfect, the time perfect. She was relaxed and rhythmic. Halfway home, she looked nice and relaxed, going through in 2.01.7 as some of the pacers stepped off the track. Ireland’s Cathal Doyle took them out from 600m to go. The smaller group trying to keep her motivated. The crowd were on their feet. Cheering, encouraging, wanting it to happen. Her husband, her coach, training partners, all tense with excitement. Tying up over the final 200m she gave it her all. Her attempt resulted in 4:.06.91. Not the sub 4 she had planned but a gallant effort no doubt. There was no lull, no low, no sounds of disappointment. Nothing but positivity in the stadium where she has run so many perfect races, world records and personal bests. Nothing but jubilation. The biggest winners of all were the people she has inspired to “dare to dream. Faith Kipeygon had shown the world that there are possibilities and people should try and seek and attempt those possibilities. “Dare to Dream” the poster said. “Someday someone will do it. I will try again” said Faith in the aftermath of the attempt. “We are not limited. We can prove to the world we are strong” she said in a special message to females’ athletes and beyond. That message sent tingles through countless females watching.
Her effort at Stade Charlety was never going to count as an official record given the assistance of “super shoes” and male pacers. It is not the world record that mattered most to Faith, it is the ability to for a “woman to do what a man can do”.
Prior to the attempt Faith’s reason for doing this was “I want to make my family proud, my country proud and inspire the next generation of women”. Countless interviews prior to the event have her friends, coach and competitors state how motivated she is and how she always tried to push herself. World 800m champion Hailmah Nikaayi, who paced her over 1,000m in China earlier this year, stated “she pushes beyond her limits”. Faith herself stated “It really inspires me to keep pushing myself”. Her coach stated “I have coached many Olympic Champions. Faith is unique, a go getter”.
There will be more attempts. That wall is still a barrier, but Faith has removed a few bricks, and it will keep tumbling down until one day that sub 4-minute barrier will be broken. I for one want to see that day.