Sacred and the 4 Minute Mile

From a guy who could only manage a 4:49 in High School

There is something about round numbers when it comes to running. Many of us make PR goals based on round-ish numbers.

The 4 Minute Mile

And one of the most historically round numbers in running is the 4 minute mile.

Now, as a note, I would like to remind my readers who are far away from a 4 minute mile mark that I don’t think you should go run one, but I always love drawing inspiration from the amazing feats of strength and speed from pros.

It was in 1954, when Roger Bannister broke the tape of a mile race in 3:59.4, accomplishing the feat for the first time ever in history (to date this is still one of my favorite non-fiction running books). The 4 minute mile mark has since been broken over 2000 times—all by male athletes.

Faith Taking A Shot

This past Thursday (June 26, 2025), Faith Kipyegon of Kenya, stepped onto a track in Paris, France trying to be the first woman to accomplish the feat. An accomplishment that will further cement her in the annals of running lore.

Kipyegon’s attempt was set up to create the perfect conditions for running the mile faster than any women in the history of the event’s recorded history. Nike worked with her, her team, and so many other athletes (she had 13 racers—chosen for their ability for precise pacing and optimal wind-breaking aid) to try and handle all the external factors that may impede her ability to run 1,609 meters (1 mile) in under 4 minutes.

In the end, she did not break 4 minutes, but she did run faster than any woman in the history of the mile (clocking a 4:06.42). To be clear, this was not a failure—this proved just how tough a 4 minute mile can be. Neither will I accuse Kipyegon of treating the attempt with a sense of laissez-faire or an ego of assuredness. There was a sacredness as she approached the event.

Click here to watch the whole event on YouTube—including the pre-run portion where they talk to several folks about the moment, and highlight Kipyegon’s history as a runner, mom, and generally awesome human being.

Mind-Blown

I was entranced by this attempt at history, because the 4 minute mile does feel like this sacred mark set by the history of elite running. It is a mark that, for 70 years, men and boys have focused much of their miling career around. A four minute mile was never in my repotoire as a high schooler—I felt lucky get under 5 minutes once in my life.

This seemingly sacred standard stands out to folks, and to see Kipyegon going after it is a testament to what these times often mean in the grand context of running. Kipyegon—like pioneers before her—set out to show what human bodies are truly capable of and it should be inspiring no matter where you fall in your running journey.

It lays forth this idea of the marks in our journey we treat as “sacred.” When the mythos of what we are working toward matches hard work we have put in. Now yes, Kipyegon is doing something no woman has ever done, and I am sure many of us are in the spot of reaching personal mythos of goals that have been acompliushed by hundreds—if not thousands—of other people.

Sacred Marks

If we move past history, there is sacredness beyond just a four minute mile. Whether going for a world record, a fastest known time, a personal best, or setting a goal. These time marks are a sacred thing. The only time we really see them that way though are when they are covered in so much lore. We think for something to hold so much value it has to either be rare or it has to be deemed sacred by others.

In running beyond the four minute mile (both on the female and male side of it), we have created sacred marks out of so many other marks—think Boston Qualifiers, 15 minute 5K, World Champinship/Olympic Standards. These times feel especially sacred for middle of the pack runners because many of them seem so unachievable. However, what if I said that a 20, 30, or maybe even a 40 minute 5K could be a sacred mark? What if I said to finish a marathon is a sacred mark (which to be clear it is haha)? What if I said, any goal you set and long for and approach with a serious and sacred mindset is a sacred mark?

Finding Your Own

It was when Faith set the current world record—a mark of 4:07.64—that she truly began setting her sights on the idea that a women could break the four minute mile barrier. Yes, that mark of a four minute mile carries sacredness throughout the running world, and it became something sacred for Faith when she set her sights on it.

I think the same is true for many of us across the world.

I’m not saying we make idols out of these things, but when we think of what is sacred, we think of something that commands our attention, our respect, and something we set our heart towards. To create sacredness out of a running mark is to see it as soemthing that deserves our attention. It is something that commands our respect.

I have a friend who has his sights set on a sub 5 hour marathon. To some that may seem slow. To me, what an incredible accomplishment it will be when he acheives it. Every marathon for him is another chapter in the story. The work he puts in and the time dedicated draws him closer to the goal.

Imagine if we all treated these marks in this way.

Sacredness is something holy, and yes it draws us closer when we treat life and our participation in with the reverance it deserves. These gifts of bodies that can move, of the ability to set marks, of finding joy through living and moving, are given from above. They are a recognition that we do not define our limitations.

Sacred Marks are something we can set our mind to achieve and earnestly strive after it. They are a humbling experience, because in many situations it takes time, energy, and dedication to hit it—unfortunately sometimes the mark never comes.

However, we remember, as in faith, as much as the end of the journey (hitting the mark) is a source of pride. The journey to get there plays as much—if not more of—a role here and now.

Sacredness in Striving

Sacredness is about reverence. And when we move with reverence—toward our goals, our bodies, and our calling—we tap into something holy. These marks we chase remind us of our capacity, our purpose, and our limits. But more importantly, they remind us that limits can move.

Yes, some sacred marks remain out of reach. But the journey toward them? That is where growth happens. That’s where transformation takes root.

Just like our spiritual journey. In faith, we press on toward perfection—not flawlessness, but perfect love. We move forward daily, inching closer to the fullness of who we are called to be.

Sacred marks in life, running, and faith anchor us. They help us set our eyes on something bigger than today. They push us to do the work. And when we meet them—or come close—we find joy that transcends the clock.

Let’s Here From You:

1. What are your sacred marks—in running, in life, in faith?

2. How are you chasing them with reverence, and how are you finding meaning in the journey—even when the finish line still feels far off?