Going the Distance: Faith Kipyegon, the Sub-4 Mile, and the Bar Exam

In just a couple of days, on Thursday, June 26, in Paris, all eyes will be on Kenyan track star Faith Kipyegon as she chases history: Becoming the first woman ever to run a mile in under 4 minutes.

Let that sink in.

The 4-minute mile was once considered an unbreakable barrier—even for men. Roger Bannister shattered that myth in 1954, and since then, hundreds of men have done it. But no woman ever has. Not yet.

Faith Kipyegon, already the world record holder at 1,500m, is aiming to change that.

Source: www.nike.com

Why This Matters—Even If You're Studying for the Bar

If you're in the thick of bar prep right now, you’re probably staring down what feels like your own impossible barrier: 200 MBE questions, 6 essays, 2 MPTs. Dozens of rule statements to memorize. Scores to improve. Confidence to build. Energy to conserve. And the ticking clock of July.

But here’s what Faith Kipyegon’s run reminds us: Limits are often illusions.

For decades, experts believed the human body couldn’t handle a sub-4 minute mile. The lungs would burst. The heart would fail. It just wasn’t "possible." Until it was. And soon after? Others followed.

What Bar Prep and the 4-Minute Mile Have in Common

Here are three lessons we can take from Kipyegon’s quest:

1️⃣ The Goal Has to Be Bold

Kipyegon isn't aiming to just run a sub-4-minute mile. She’s aiming to redefine what’s possible, to push the boundaries of what the world believes is achievable. That’s how you should approach bar prep. Don't aim to scrape by with the minimum. Set a bold, clear goal: Not just to pass, but to pass with confidence and control. Use this final stretch to study like someone who's running toward a breakthrough.

2️⃣ Preparation + Belief = Breakthrough

Kipyegon didn’t wake up one day and decide to break four minutes. She’s been building toward it—day by day, session by session. Her training includes precision, discipline, and a belief in her own potential. That’s the formula for bar prep too. You need to do more than show up. You need to engage deeply, reflect on your progress, and trust in the process. Your flashcards, practice questions, and essay drills? They’re your intervals, your long runs, your hill repeats. Keep stacking wins.

3️⃣ One Day Can Change Everything

June 26 could be a day that resets the record books—not because the world changed, but because one person proved it could. That’s how the bar exam works, too. For most people, it’s just a couple of summer days. But for you, those two days can change your future. Every hour you invest now isn’t just study time—it’s momentum building toward that moment. Treat those test days as your race days. And prepare to rise.

Final Lap

You may not be trying to break a world record this week. But you are pushing your own limits. You are chasing something historic—something that can change your life. So when you sit down to study today, think of Faith Kipyegon lining up in Paris. Feel that nervous energy, that quiet confidence, that drive to do something amazing.

Because whether it’s a world record mile or a passing bar score, the finish line is waiting. And so is your transformation.

Run your race. Finish strong.

Fans around the world can tune in to watch Faith Kipyegon’s attempt on Nike’s YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and Douyin accounts, as well as Prime Video, beginning at 7:15 p.m. CEST on June 26.