Kenyans express hope of Faith breaking 4-minute barrier in the mile soon

Three-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon earned praise for her attempt to run a sub-four-minute mile.

Although Kipyegon missed the under-four-minute mark by 6.41 seconds during the Nike Breaking4, the athletics world still celebrated the four-time world champion for daring to attempt what has for decades been perceived to be impossible and for chipping a second off her 4:07.64 World Record from 2023.

Kipyegon, who ran a well-measured race with the help of pacesetters and new Nike technologies to boot, was on a mission to engrave her name in the annals of history as the first woman ever to run a mile under four minutes.

And on Thursday night, she unleashed her super speed but deferred her ambition of a sub-four in the mile after falling short of achieving the target.

Kenyans trooped to nightclubs for watch parties as the world’s attention shifted to the iconic Stade Charlety in Paris, France, where Kipyegon smashed her own 1500m World Record last July.

In Eldoret, the City of Champions, athletics fans thronged their favourite entertainment joints.

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Baniyas Square off Uganda Road was full to the brim. Athletics enthusiasts, including coaches and athletes, were among the hundreds who turned up to watch Kipyegon’s attempt to write history.

The club erupted into wild cheers as Kipyegon stomped the track at Stade Charlety.

Each step in the race that started with a blistering pace was greeted with standing ovations and waving of the Kenyan flag, spiced up with cheers of Go! Go! Faith.

Samson Rutto, a marathoner and Team Kenya athletics cheering squad member, described the challenge as inspiring regardless of the missed target.

“As part of the Team Kenya cheering squad brigade, it is a night to celebrate an athlete who has achieved the most on the track. She (Kipyegon) has inspired everyone not just to dream but to go out and attempt to achieve their dream,” he said as he celebrated Kipyegon.

Richard Metto, an athletics coach who trains alongside Patrick Sang in Kaptagat, was among athletics enthusiasts who followed the exhibition live at Baniyas Square.

Julia Hope, another cheering squad member, said Kipyegon still had the potential to shatter the sub-four-minute mark even in a competitive race.

Steeplechase legend Ezekiel Kemboi and Boston Marathon winner Evans Chebet led athletics stars and enthusiasts in watching and cheering the attempt at Timba XO along Nairobi highway.

Several other entertainment spots, among them Tamasha, were full as patrons enjoyed the four-minute thriller that was being staged 9700km away at the French capital.

World 800m champion Mary Moraa, in her reaction, expressed hope that Kipyegon will break the four-minute barrier in the mile soon.

“You dared to try. It is now possible. You will do it soon,” the Olympic bronze medallist said in a Facebook post.

World Athletics said: “Thank you, Faith, for making us dream. Maybe not today, but soon…”

Olympic and world bronze medallist Faith Cherotich said she had been inspired by Kipyegon’s attempt to dream.

“You have shown the world it’s possible. We will dream and try. Congratulations for that courageous move. Great inspiration to the whole world,” said ‘Small Faith.’

President William Ruto led the nation in celebrating Kipyegon for shaving a second off her World Record in the distance.

Ruto said Kipyegon carried the hopes of the Kenyan nation during the Breaking4 attempt.

“Congratulations Faith. With every stride, you carried the hopes of our nation and proved that Kenyan greatness knows no limits. Your triumph is not just athletics, it is historic and inspires us all to run beyond our own boundaries,” the President said.

During the INEOS 1:59 Challenge, a mammoth crowd of athletics enthusiasts, never seen in the history of the city, filled the intersection of Uganda Road and Iten Road to follow the attempt through a giant screen.

But on Thursday evening, night clubs hosted the huge numbers of athletics fans, with some entertainment joints kicking off their watch parties from as early as 6:30 pm, two and a half hours before the action.