Sam Ruthe Leads Visually Impaired Youngster to Victory in 1500m

A remarkable moment unfolded during a major athletics event in March 2024 when rising star Sam Ruthe guided visually impaired runner Tamahau to victory in the 1500-metre race. This event, part of a three-day competition, attracted thousands of young athletes from the North Island, showcasing talent and inspiring stories.

Tamahau, a member of the Te Aroha Athletics Club and Achilles Tauranga Moana, faced a significant setback when his regular running guide fell ill shortly before the race. The young athlete, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident at the age of three-and-a-half, relies on a guide for running due to challenges with vision and spatial awareness. His mother, Emily Kay, recounted the frantic effort to find a replacement.

“After we learned his guide was sick, we rushed around trying to find someone,” she said. “When I couldn’t, I put out a post on Run Aotearoa.” Fortunately, Andrea Neal from Tauranga Athletics saw the post and reached out to help.

Initially, an official was set to guide Tamahau, but just 30 minutes before the race, a new opportunity arose. “Andrea came and found us, and said, ‘Hey, Sam Ruthe has volunteered to become a host guide for the race,’” Kay added. The excitement was palpable. “I know Tamahau was thrilled when he found out Sam was going to be his guide. All the other kids were excited they would be in the same race as Sam Ruthe too.”

Ruthe, who gained national acclaim as a track star, made headlines last year when he became the youngest athlete to break the four-minute mark for the mile at age 15. Since then, he has shattered the long-standing secondary schools 1500-metre record and achieved new under-20 and under-19 national marks over 1000 metres, with his recent time being the world’s best for his age group.

As the race began, Ruthe offered guidance and encouragement. “He told Tamahau, ‘Don’t go out too hard, we’ll go hard in the last lap,’” Kay said. The duo maintained a steady pace throughout the race and surged forward in the final lap. “It was amazing, and the whole crowd was cheering.”

Their teamwork paid off, with Tamahau completing the race in a personal best time, improving by about 40 seconds and clinching first place in the para race. “Not only did he get a guide, he got Sam Ruthe,” Kay remarked. “It was an epic day.”

In addition to their performance, Ruthe’s sportsmanship shone through as he engaged with other young athletes after the race, posing for photos and celebrating their achievements. There was also a light-hearted moment during the event when Ruthe, caught up in the excitement, briefly surged ahead of Tamahau, needing a reminder that his partner needed to cross the finish line first.

Tamahau’s experience highlights the importance of support and inclusion in sports. Without a guide, he would have had to withdraw from the race. Instead, he not only competed but triumphed with the help of a national athletics sensation. This event underscores the power of community and the impact of mentorship in sports.