Why Faith Kipyegon Missed the Sub-4 Minute Mile: Insights from Legendary Pacer Martin Keino

Martin Keino has spent his career guiding legends like Haile Gebrselassie, Daniel Komen, and Kenenisa Bekele toward world records.

So when Faith Kipyegon stepped onto the track to chase an audacious sub-4 mile, few were more qualified than Keino to break down why the barrier held firm for now.

1. A Monumental Leap in Time

Faith wasn't just aiming to chip away at her world record she needed to obliterate it. Her personal best in the mile sits at 4:07.64. To go sub-4, she had to shed nearly 8 full seconds.

That’s not just ambitious it’s nearly unheard of. At the elite level, records are usually trimmed by fractions of a second.

From Keino’s experience pacing Daniel Komen’s 5,000m record, even a one-second slip in a split can derail an entire attempt.

That’s the margin of error Kipyegon was up against.

2. Human Limits Are Real

Faith’s speed is elite her 800m best of 1:57.68 proves it.

But to run under 4 minutes, an athlete must blend raw speed with sustained endurance at a level no woman has yet reached.

Keino has watched world-class runners push into this uncharted zone, only to meet their physiological ceiling.

3. Pacing Isn’t Plug-and-Play

Perfect pacing demands intuition. It’s more art than algorithm. Staying close behind a pacer at that kind of speed takes laser focus and resilience.

Lose contact for even a moment, and the additional wind resistance starts draining energy.

Keino has seen top-tier pacing plans fall apart simply because that delicate line between ideal effort and overload was crossed.

4. Marginal Gains Make the Difference

The third lap is always the turning point. Fatigue takes over, the finish seems miles away, and it’s where records often slip through fingers.

Even the tiniest details pre-race routines, gear, timing of meals can tip the scale. Faith might’ve left a few of those gains on the table.

5. Training Has to Mirror the Goal

There’s a difference between being in shape and being in sub-4 shape. According to Keino, when he was prepping to pace world records, his own training had to precisely match the target pace and feel of the race.

Without that laser-specific preparation, even the strongest runner may fall short.

6. Tech Helps but Only So Much

Yes, modern shoes and suits can help.

But over 1609 meters, there’s only so much they can do.

The use of male pacers also meant the record wouldn’t be officially recognized perhaps dulling the competitive fire just enough to matter. In Keino’s view, no amount of tech can replace perfect execution on the day.

7. Race Rust Is Real

Kipyegon came into the attempt with just one race under her belt in 2025 a 1,000m effort.

While her fitness was never in question, race sharpness is its own kind of readiness. Nothing replaces the edge that comes from stepping into high-stakes competition repeatedly.

Final Thoughts

Faith Kipyegon’s run was a bold, thrilling pursuit of greatness.

She has the ability, the mindset, and now the experience from this attempt in Paris to come back stronger. Breaking a barrier like the sub-4 mile takes more than just talent it takes everything lining up perfectly.

And next time, it just might.