Millions Faith Kipyegon Will Bag If She Runs Under 4 Minutes

Three-time Olympic and world 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon is on the verge of making history and millions of shillings as she prepares to run in less than four minutes, something no human being has ever achieved before.

The 31-year-old is aiming to become the first woman to run a mile (1.6 kilometres) in under four minutes during a high-profile event set for Thursday, June 26, at Stade Sébastien Charléty in Paris.

Raising the stakes, Reddit co-founder and tech entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian has pledged a Ksh 13 million (USD 100,000) cash bonus if Kipyegon breaks the barrier.

The offer was made through ATHLOS, a women’s sports platform Ohanian co-founded to spotlight and financially empower elite female athletes — he also happens to be the husband of tennis icon Serena Williams.

The cash prize is part of a broader campaign by ATHLOS to elevate women in sports and push past traditional performance ceilings. However, that is just one part of what Kipyegon stands to gain.

Since the event is backed by Nike — one of the world’s biggest sports brands — a record-breaking performance could unlock lucrative endorsements and sponsorship deals for the Kenyan runner.

Kipyegon is seen as the most likely athlete to shatter this barrier, having already set the current women’s mile world record of 4:07.64 at the Monaco Diamond League in 2023.

To dip under four minutes, she would need to slash nearly eight seconds off that time — a massive leap in middle-distance terms, demanding perfect race conditions and a performance for the ages.

Experts believe it’s possible. Sports scientists say that while the challenge is extreme, the human body is capable of it, especially with optimal pacing and race-day conditions.

Kipyegon's challenge will mirror what happened with Kenya’s marathon icon Eliud Kipchoge, who in 2019 became the first man to run a sub-two-hour marathon under carefully controlled conditions with the help of pacesetters.

Kipyegon is no stranger to smashing records. She already holds world titles in the 1,500m and 5,000m and is a two-time Olympic champion. Her dominance on the track has solidified her status as one of the greatest middle-distance runners in history — and now, she’s eyeing a legacy-defining moment.

How To Watch Faith Kipyegon's Historic Feat

If you’re looking to catch Faith Kipyegon as she attempts to break the four-minute mile barrier, you’re in for something historic—and yes, you can watch it live, for free, and globally.

The entire showcase kicks off at 7:15 p.m. Central European Summer Time (CEST), which is 8:15 p.m. in Nairobi. However, Kipyegon's actual run is expected around 8:00 p.m. CEST (9:00 p.m. Nairobi time). Still, you’ll want to be tuned in well before then to catch the build-up, introductions, and atmosphere.

You can stream the race live through multiple platforms. Nike is offering a global livestream on its official YouTube channel, TikTok, Instagram, and Douyin accounts. All streams begin at the same time—7:15 p.m. CEST.

If you’re subscribed to Amazon Prime Video, the event will also be available there under the name "Breaking4". There’s no need for a VPN or cable subscription; it’s all designed to be as accessible as possible.

If you’re in Kenya, make sure you’re tuned in by 9:00 p.m. local time. Head to Nike’s YouTube page or Prime Video, depending on your preference.

Consider watching with friends or fellow fans, since the buzz around this event is electric and global. Online forums and social media will be lit—especially X and Reddit’s track and field communities.

Faith Kipyegon after she broke the 1500m world record in Paris, France on July 7, 2024. /FAITH KIPYEGON