When Faith Kipyegon attempts to become the first woman ever to run under four minutes in the mile on Thursday, she will have an important person in her corner: Eliud Kipchoge.
Kipchoge, now 40 years old, knows something about breaking down barriers. In 2019, Kipchoge, considered the greatest men’s marathoner of all-time, became the first person to ever run under two hours in the marathon.
Kipchoge ran 1:59:40 for 26.2 miles at the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna. That performance did not count as an official world record because standard competition rules for pacing were not followed, but it did help reimagine what is possible in running. Similar to the 1:59 Challenge, Kipyegon’s sub-4 attempt will also not be record-eligible—but it will instead test the limits of human achievement.
“You know, Eliud inspired me a lot,” Kipyegon, 31, said at a press conference last week ahead of Thursday’s main event, Breaking4, a modified time trial that will take place at 2 p.m. ET at the Stade Sébastien Charléty in Paris.
Kipchoge has been a mentor for Kipyegon at the pair’s training camp in Kenya for years. Now, as Kipyegon prepares for his biggest challenge to date, Kipchoge has been able to provide her with specific insight and wisdom ahead of Thursday’s race.
When Runner’s World’s Jeff Dengate visited their training camp in Kaptagat, Kenya in March, Kipyegon told him that Kipchoge has “inspired us” and “gives us energy” ahead of the sub-4 attempt. He’s provided the template through his own accomplishments.
“You just keep on pushing yourself to that.” Kipyegon told Dengate. “I want to achieve what Eliud has achieved.”
Kipchoge has seen it as his responsibility to guide Kipyegon as she chases the sub-4 mile. “That’s my work now to share what’s happening,” he told Dengate. “To share [what] the pressure [will be], to share what the whole world will be thinking and, you know, to make her comfortable to run in a good way. Celebrate and make history, inspire people.”
The mile is, of course, a much different distance than the marathon. Kipchoge broke down the marathon in increments of 5 kilometers. For Kipyegon in the mile, it will be about taking it lap-by-lap.
Kipchoge knows the hardest part for Kipyegon will be managing the mental aspect of it. “If you don’t control your mind, it’ll control you,” Kipchoge said.
“A mind is like a computer,” he said. “It’s like ‘cuckoo’ with information passing all the time. Every minute, every hour, every day, every week, every month. So it’s our work to tell [her] that, this is what it has been, so relax, wait for the big day and enjoy.”
Dan Beck is the deputy news editor at Runner’s World. He has led news coverage teams for major running events like the Olympic Games, World Athletics Championships, Boston Marathon, and New York City Marathon. A former collegiate distance runner at DeSales University, he still enjoys running, just more slowly now. Before coming to Runner’s World, he covered track and field and cross-country at MileSplit. He lives in Philadelphia with his wife, where the two like to explore the city’s rich dining scene.
