🏃🏾‍♀️ We Still Have Faith

In the heart of the 2024 Olympic Stadium, Faith Kipyegon made history once again as she attempted to break the seemingly impossible barrier of a sub-4-minute mile for women. The Kenyan middle-distance runner, already a legend in her field, continued to push the boundaries of what's possible in women's athletics, completing the mile in a blistering personal record of 4:06.42.

Faith, who has been dominating middle-distance running for the past three Olympic Games, previously set the women's mile record in 2023 with a time of 4:07. While she didn't quite break the 4-minute barrier this time, her attempt has electrified the running world and inspired a new generation of athletes.

This wasn't just any attempt. It was a carefully orchestrated event that brought together elite athletic performance, corporate sponsorship, and media attention in a way rarely seen for women's sports. Athlos put up a $100,000 reward for breaking the barrier, while Nike invested heavily in the attempt, documenting Faith's journey in a two-part series that follows her training and preparation.

Despite being the fastest female miler since 2023, she only recently gained widespread recognition.

This points to a larger issue in women's sports, particularly for Black women athletes: extraordinary talent often goes unrecognized without massive marketing campaigns behind it. Yet, there's a silver lining here—Faith's attempt has brought unprecedented attention to women's middle-distance running. Her attempt was streamed live, making it a high-profile event that was great for women who run at all levels for multiple reasons. Her historic attempt and record-breaking run, though not the outcome she wanted, will hopefully spark:

• Increased research and development investment in women's running shoes, addressing the historical gender gap in athletic equipment design

• Innovation in women's athletic apparel that will eventually benefit runners at all levels

• Unprecedented media attention focused on women's sports achievements

• Representation that inspires Black women and girls to see themselves in elite athletics

The footage from the race shows not just an individual athlete but an entire support system—coaches, pacers, and training staff—all working in unison toward a common goal. This visibility challenges the notion of the solitary athlete and showcases the collaborative nature of sporting excellence.

For Black Women Runners: Why This Matters

For Black women in the running community, Faith's attempt holds special significance. In a sport that has historically lacked diversity at the recreational level, seeing a Black woman at the absolute pinnacle of middle-distance running breaks down barriers and challenges perceptions about who belongs in which athletic disciplines.

Faith's journey demonstrates that excellence knows no racial boundaries. Her dedication to training, meticulous preparation, and willingness to publicly chase seemingly impossible goals serves as a powerful reminder that Black women belong in every aspect of running, from casual jogging to world record attempts. The corporate investment in her attempt signals a shift in how companies view the marketability of Black women athletes. This increased visibility and sponsorship potential creates pathways for future generations of runners who might otherwise struggle to secure the financial support needed to train at the highest levels.

Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of Faith's story isn't whether she broke the 4-minute barrier, but that she dared to try. She is a hero for the attempt, regardless of the result. In a world that often discourages women—and particularly women of color—from taking big risks or publicly failing, Kipyegon's willingness to put herself on the line in pursuit of a goal that might prove impossible is revolutionary in itself. The attempt sends a powerful message: don't wait until success is guaranteed before chasing your dreams. The pursuit itself has value. It changes the conversation, shifts resources, and inspires others.

While Faith didn't break the 4-minute barrier this time, her PR of 4:06.42 suggests that the impossible is merely difficult, not truly unattainable. Reports indicate she "has her eyes set on stepping on the starting line again soon," suggesting that this attempt was not a one-time event but part of an ongoing journey.

For Black women runners at all levels, Faith's persistence offers a template for approaching their own goals: set ambitious targets, build a supportive team, embrace visibility, and keep pushing forward regardless of whether success comes on the first attempt or the fifth. As we continue to follow Faith's journey through Nike's documentary and future attempts, we're witnessing not just athletic history in the making, but a fundamental shift in how women's—and particularly Black women's—sporting achievements are valued, marketed, and celebrated.

The four-minute barrier remains unbroken for now, but our faith in Faith—and what she represents for the future of women's running—remains stronger than ever.