Kiwi Teen Sam Ruthe Sets New World Record in Mile Run

New Zealand teen running sensation Sam Ruthe has achieved a remarkable feat by setting the world’s fastest under-16 mile time. This milestone occurred on March 16, 2024, during the Cooks International Classic held at Cooks Gardens in Whanganui. Ruthe finished the race in a time of 3:53.83, surpassing the previous record of 3:55.44 set by Australian Cam Myers in 2023.

In an exciting race, Sam Tanner, a 25-year-old two-time Olympian and Ruthe’s training partner, claimed victory with a time of 3:53.36. Despite finishing second, Ruthe’s performance marked a significant improvement, shaving off more than four seconds from his previous personal best of 3:58.35, which he achieved in Auckland last March. This accomplishment also solidified his status as the youngest athlete to break the four-minute barrier at this distance.

“It feels incredible,” Ruthe expressed shortly after the race during an interview with Athletics New Zealand. “That was my goal coming into this race. I was trying to beat Tanner as well, but as soon as the gun started, I was like, ‘I just want to run as fast as possible.’”

Race Highlights and Future Plans

The race showcased both athletes’ exceptional talent and competitive spirit. In the early stages, Connall McLean served as the pacesetter, guiding the runners through the first two laps at impressive speeds of 56 seconds for the first lap, and 1:55 for the second. As the race progressed, Ruthe stayed close to Tanner, leading him through the third lap at 2:57, before Tanner surged ahead in the final stretch.

“This was a lot easier than the 800 last week, Sammy,” Tanner joked to Ruthe after the race, referencing their recent competition at the Potts Classic in Hastings, where Ruthe had emerged victorious in the 800 meters. Tanner’s victory at Cooks Gardens marked his sixth sub-four-minute mile at this historic venue, surpassing the record previously held by Nick Willis.

“It’s always so good to run a sub-four here, and I love this track. I’ve got so much history at this track,” Tanner remarked, reflecting on his success at Cooks Gardens. “Having guys like Rod Dixon out here telling us that he ran 3:54 here on grass, in bare feet, we’ve got a long way to go still, but it’s exciting.”

Both Ruthe and Tanner are set to travel to the United States on March 18, 2024, where they will compete in four indoor mile races, aiming to further enhance their records and performances. With their sights firmly set on future challenges, these young athletes continue to inspire a new generation of runners.