Media release

From: The Royal Society

Could a female athlete run a 4-minute mile with improved aerodynamic drafting?

• Ladies, now let’s get in formation– The current women’s world record holder for the mile run, Faith Kipyegon, could break her record of 4:07.64 without extra effort. Researchers suggest that drafting, using two teams of athletes as pacers running 1.2m ahead and behind could reduce drag and help her run 3:59.37. This optimal formation, with pacers switching out at 800m, might allow her to break the 4-

With improved aerodynamic drafting, Kenya’s multiple gold medalist and world record holder, Faith Kipyegon, could become the first female runner to break the 4-minute mile barrier. Drafting involves other athletes (pacers) running in formation around a designated athlete to reduce air resistance. Drafting allows an athlete to run faster for the same energy. We calculated Kipyegon’s energy consumption during her mile world record performance and combined that with data from previous studies of air resistance. We find that with two teams of female pacers trading out, Kipyegon could possibly run 3:59.37, the same time as Roger Bannister’s record race.