Skinsuits, superspikes and a sticky headband: how Faith Kipyegon hopes to run sub-four minute mile
Eight seconds. It's barely enough time for most people to tie their shoelaces. But when you are Faith Kipyegon, and you're trying to become the first woman to shatter the four-minute mile barrier, those eight seconds constitute a chasm.
But now we know how the 31-year-old Kenyan, who set the mile world record of 4 mins 7.64 secs in 2023, intends to close the gap and emulate Sir Roger Bannister's historic feat.
On Thursday her sponsor Nike revealed that when Kipyegon makes her sub-four attempt in Paris on 26 June, she will be wearing a special aerodynamic skinsuit with '3D-printed aeronodes', along with new super spikes, which are even lighter and more propulsive.
The skinsuit, which would not currently be permitted in official World Athletics races, draws on similar technology used by British Cycling and British Skeleton when they dominated the Summer and Winter Olympics between 2008 and 2018.
Crucially, the aeronodes are able to create a 'turbulence' effect designed to reduce the amount of wind resistance acting on the body when Kipyegon runs.
'The magic with the aeronodes on the suit and leg sleeves is that it creates a controlled turbulence area,' said Lisa Gibson of Nike's Innovation lab. 'It splits the air in front of Faith and creates smaller eddies behind her to reduce drag.'
Reducing resistance is clearly a key factor in the attempt. A recent scientific paper by Prof Rodger Kram, a physiologist at the University of Colorado Boulder, suggested that Kipyegon could run a sub-four minute mile by using pacemakers deployed in front and behind her to reduce drag.
The mother of one will also be wearing a headband designed to further reduce drag, as well as the latest prototype of Nike super spikes, the Victory Elite FK, which have 3mm more foam and are lighter than the track spikes she wore when winning Olympic 1500m gold last year.
And while most experts remain sceptical that Kipyegon can do it, despite the added technological assistance, the scientist behind her attempt says that confidence is building.
Brett Kirby, who worked with Eliud Kipchoge to help the Kenyan break the two-hour barrier in the marathon, said he understood the scepticism. However he said he was convinced that Kipyegon could go much quicker.
'I'm a scientist and it's all about thinking critically,' said Kirby, the senior principal scientist at Nike's sport research lab. 'So when I first heard the idea, I was like, 'man, I don't know. It sounds really hard to get those eight seconds.' But when we stepped back and looked at Faith in 2023, and things like her pacing – which may have initially looked optimal – we realised that there was more there.'
'When you start to add on these other pieces of the puzzle, and put them together to make that matrix, then things start to get really exciting,' he added. 'You start to get more inspired. You say, 'Wow, OK, these pieces come together like a really nice system, from the apparel side, the footwear side, the location side, and maybe some tweaks in preparation'. And before you know it, you have this matrix that comes together.'
Sign up to The Recap
The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action
after newsletter promotion
'And you put all the pieces together, and it slowly builds more and more confidence as we get closer.'
Not everyone in Kipyegon's team is as cautious. Simon Bairu, her sports marketing partner, believes it is only a matter of time before she makes history. 'When she breaks four, she won't just set a record,' he said. 'She'll change what every girl watching thinks is possible. I don't think she can do it – I know she will.'
Nike's experts would not be drawn on just how much of a performance boost Kipyegon might expect from their new technology.
However Carrie Dimoff, of Nike's Innovation Footwear department, said that Kipyegon's new spikes had shown greater energy return in testing. Dimhoff also confirmed that while the new spikes had not yet been submitted to World Athletics for approval, as they had been making ongoing adjustments to them, they did conform to the rules.
'The height of the shoe does not actually get any higher,' she added. 'We've just diverted some of the height from other materials into that energetic air sole design to give Faith more efficient push off and more energy return with every stride.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
5 hours ago
- BBC News
Wheelchair tennis star Andy Lapthorne appointed MBE
A Paralympian who has won 17 Grand Slam wheelchair tennis titles has been honoured in the King's Birthday Honours. Andy Lapthorne, from Maidenhead, told BBC Radio Berkshire it was "a massive shock" to be appointed an MBE for services to who has won three silver medals and a bronze at the Paralympics, said he hoped his achievement would show others that "anything's possible". "Tennis is known as a sport that is for more of the upper classes... and I'm someone from a working class background," he said. "I'm hoping that this will inspire people from similar backgrounds to me to pick up tennis," the 34-year-old said. In 2024 he played in front of a full crowd at the Paralympics in Paris, something he said showed "how far the sport has come"."I'm travelling the world, playing tournaments, being able to earn a living from a disability sport," he said."I'm hoping that I've left the sport in a better place than when I found it when I do finally [retire]." Also honoured was Prof Andrew Charlton-Perez, a meteorology professor at the University of Reading, who has been appointed an OBE for his services to climate science and professor said he felt the honour was recognising all of his colleagues' work as well as his own."To be recognised in this amazing place with so many different colleagues who do wonderful things... it feels unreal," he said."All of the work that we've done on climate education in particular has been done with huge teams of people... it really feels like it's recognising all of those contributions, all of those positive things that we're doing together." Another on the list was Peter Francis, chief of staff at the Maidenhead-based Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which maintains the graves of those who died in both World Francis, who was appointed OBE for his services to global commemoration, said getting the "official-looking letter" was "a massive surprise"."My initial reaction was 'is it a tax return?' or something like that," he said."It feels very, very strange but very, very humbling and I'm deeply honoured."He said it was a reflection on the work the Commission did as a whole."It's very difficult to put a price on the commemoration of those who served," he said."We owe them a debt of thanks that we can never truly repay and the work that I do, and my colleagues do... just goes some small way to saying thank you." Also recognised was Estelle Bailey, the chief executive of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxford Wildlife Trust (BBOWT), who was appointed MBE for her services to nature's Bailey started at the trust as a volunteer 27 years ago."It's been the most incredible journey, having loved nature as a child and been so connected to it, but also in that time watching its decline and worrying about the future and wondering what I could do to help," she said."It's been a journey of love and a journey of passion - and that will never leave me."She said receiving the letter saying she was being awarded an MBE "took my breath away"."I'm so, so delighted," she said."Charitable life is really hard... it's not well paid and you have to fight really hard to get money to do work."It was just that moment of recognition for me that was just really, super special." You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
7 hours ago
- BBC News
South Africa World Test win would 'be massive for country'
A victory for South Africa in the World Test Championship final would be "massive for the country" as they bid to shed their tag as professional sport's serial bottlers, says batting coach Ashwell head into day four of the match at Lord's with 69 runs needed to beat Australia and with eight wickets still in Africa opener Aiden Markram will resume unbeaten on 102 alongside skipper Temba Bavuma, who is 65 not out, after the pair spearheaded a dominant batting display on the Proteas wrap up the win it would go a long way towards banishing a nickname they have come to despise: 18 previous one-day international and T20 World Cups, South Africa's men's team have reached a solitary final, having lost 10 of their 12 knockout matches across both final appearance was in last year's T20 World Cup in the Caribbean where they lost to India when victory seemed to be within their acknowledged he was "not sure how I'm going to sleep" with the tantalising prospect of winning the third iteration of the WTC title so real."This would be massive for our country," Prince told BBC Test Match Special."Both in terms of what we want to do in Test match cricket and what we want to achieve going forward. "We've fallen short in some white-ball competitions with teams that have had very good chances of getting over the line, possibly favourites at times. "But at the moment, history says we haven't done it yet, so we have got to knuckle down."Prince, who played 66 Tests for South Africa between 2002 and 2011, said the players will not do anything differently to prepare for the fourth day as he called Markram "someone for the big occasion"."The coaches will make sure the guys stick to our processes, stay focused, get the job done," he added."It's a big day, but you don't want to do anything different just because."The most important thing is to remain in the moment, stay in the moment and obviously from a batting point of view, that means play one ball at a time." 'Seen stranger things happen' Australia all-rounder Beau Webster said his side will look to capitalise on any signs that South Africa's reputation as chokers is preying on their minds."Obviously the boys will be looking to use any advantage we can get. 69 runs left: you never know, maybe we can get a few quick ones," Webster said."I've seen stranger things happen in this game so we'll keep believing and come out again."We've got to come back and try a few more plans and what not, hang in there until the runs are up."Australia assistant coach Daniel Vettori was phlegmatic and acknowledged their players should keep their approach simple."There's no desire to get ahead of ourselves," said the former New Zealand spinner."One wicket, that's the starting point. And because these two [Markram and Bavuma] are in such control, if we can get a new batter to the crease, then that's the start of getting back into the game."I don't think there will be any thinking about how to get eight dismissals. It will be simply about getting one and seeing what can happen from there."
Daily Mail
9 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Australia staring at shock defeat in World Test Championship final as Aiden Markram and captain Temba Bavuma lead South Africa's charge towards glory
South Africa are eyeing their first major global trophy after a heroic partnership between opener Aiden Markram and captain Temba Bavuma thwarted Australia on a tense third afternoon of the World Test Championship final. With the South Africans chasing a tricky 282, Markram atoned for his first-innings duck with a superb unbeaten 102, while Bavuma hobbled for much of his 65 not out after hurting his hamstring. At stumps, they were 213 for two, and contemplating history. Only the kind of choke that has become their trademark down the years can deny them now. The crucial moment of the innings – and perhaps the Test – came when Steve Smith, fielding closer than normal at first slip because of the slowness of the pitch, dropped Bavuma on two off Mitchell Starc, and suffered a compound dislocation of his right little finger in the process. While Smith headed to hospital in agony, Markram and Bavuma set about a stand so far worth 143. Only once before has a team successfully chased more to win a Lord's Test than the 282 South Africa need here: in 1984, Gordon Greenidge hit an unbeaten 214 to propel West Indies to a target of 342 and a remarkable nine-wicket win. Given what is at stake in this game, and the quality of the opposition, South Africa's chase would trump even that. 'The chase took away the fear of failure,' said Wiaan Mulder, whose punchy 27 from No 3 gave the pursuit early momentum. 'Our coach Shukri Conrad said we'll have to go after the target whatever it is. It was a super-special partnership between Markram and Bavuma. They've pushed themselves.' Earlier, Australia's last-wicket pair of Starc, who made 58 not out, and Josh Hazlewood appeared to have given their side the buffer they needed, adding 59 to help transform a second-day score of 73 for seven into a total of 207. And when Starc had Ryan Rickelton caught behind for six, edging a wide half-volley, the Australians grew in confidence. But Mulder put on a priceless 61 with Markram before driving Starc to extra cover for 27, and the third-wicket pair took advantage of a lack of cloud cover, an ageing ball and a tiring pitch. Now, South Africa just need to keep their heads.
