Kiwi Teen Sam Ruthe Sets New World Record in Mile Run

New Zealand teen running sensation Sam Ruthe has achieved a remarkable milestone by setting the world’s fastest under-16 mile time during the Cooks International Classic held in Whanganui on Saturday night. Competing against his training partner, Sam Tanner, Ruthe finished with a time of 3:53.83, breaking the previous under-16 record of 3:55.44 set by Australian Cam Myers in March 2023.

In this tightly contested race, Tanner, a 25-year-old two-time Olympian, claimed victory with a time of 3:53.36. Despite finishing second, Ruthe’s performance was outstanding, as he shaved off over four seconds from his personal best of 3:58.35, which he had recorded earlier this year in Auckland. This accomplishment makes him the youngest athlete ever to break the four-minute barrier.

Ruthe’s Reflections on the Race

Following the race, Ruthe expressed his excitement in an interview with Athletics New Zealand. “It feels incredible,” he said. “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.’” His determination was evident as he focused on pushing his limits.

Just the previous weekend, Ruthe and Tanner faced off in the 800 meters at the Potts Classic in Hastings, where Ruthe emerged victorious. This latest event showcased the camaraderie and competitive spirit between the two athletes, both coached by Craig Kirkwood.

During the race, Tanner took the lead at the end, sprinting ahead in the final stretch. “That was a lot easier than the 800 last week, Sammy,” Tanner joked after the race. He acknowledged Ruthe’s strong performance, highlighting the friendly rivalry that fuels their training sessions.

Looking Ahead

Tanner, who holds a personal best of 3:49.51 from a race in Oregon in 2023, has now claimed the national mile championship title five times. He is also notable for surpassing Nick Willis with six sub-four-minute miles at the iconic Cooks Gardens track.

“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. He also shared his admiration for legendary runner Rod Dixon, who previously recorded a time of 3:54 on the same track while running barefoot.

Both Ruthe and Tanner are set to travel to the United States for a series of indoor mile races beginning Monday. As they prepare for these upcoming competitions, Ruthe’s record-breaking achievement adds to his growing reputation as one of the most promising young athletes in the sport.