Faith Kipyegon's coach reveals what it takes to become a record-breaking athlete
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Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 28.06.25. | 11:06
Kipyegon clocked an impressive 4:06.42, narrowly missing out on the sub-4, but it is her bravery and prowess that brought people to wonder who coaches the phenomenal woman
From guiding Eliud Kipchoge to the first-ever sub-two-hour marathon to moulding Faith Kipyegon into a global icon, coach Patrick Sang has been widely celebrated as one of the country’s greatest athletics tacticians.
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On Thursday, 26 June, the world held their breath as Kipyegon attempted to become the first woman to run a sub-four-minute mile in Paris, France.
Kipyegon clocked an impressive 4:06.42, narrowly missing out on the sub-4, but it is her bravery and prowess that brought people to wonder who coaches the phenomenal woman.
In an interview just before the Breaking4 challenge, Sang offered rare insights into what it takes to break records and chase history.
According to Sang, there is no shortcut to excellence.
“The most important aspect in training that I look for in an athlete who is ready and talented is their level of determination and how they put in the work.
Putting in the work is the most critical thing. There is no substitute for hard work, and they should have a serious belief and trust in the system,” he offered.
Under Sang’s watchful eye, Kipyegon achieved a trio of world records in 2023 and has since gone on to claim her third Olympic gold medal in the 1500m.
The 31-year-old's recent attempt to break the four-minute mile barrier was the latest step in that journey.
Though she fell short, her performance was nothing less than extraordinary.
However, Sang admitted that while she ran a personal best, the journey to Breaking4 was far from easy.
“The journey has not been smooth because it takes a lot of effort. You have to push the athlete sometimes, you have to work with so many other people, different training, and environments.
It has not been smooth sailing, but the target has always been in focus,” he continued.
As a former elite athlete himself, the tactician is a particularly sympathetic mentor who is aware of the hardships associated with achieving greatness.
Unknown to many, Sang was one of the best steeplechasers in the world, winning world and Olympic medals in the early 1990s.
But his achievements as a coach have already far outweighed his on-track accolades. He was a self-coached athlete.
When he retired from his glorious career, Sang did a World Athletics coaching course at a regional centre in Kenya, setting him up for an amazing career.
