BOSTON, Massachusetts – Sam Ruthe, a 16-year-old from New Zealand, shattered the world under-18 record for the mile on Saturday, clocking a time of 3:48.88 at the John Thomas Terrier Classic at Boston University. The performance, which also makes him the 11th fastest miler in the world regardless of age, comes less than a year after he became the youngest athlete ever to break the four-minute mile.
Ruthe’s time was a significant leap forward, surpassing New Zealand’s longstanding national mile record of 3:49.08, set by Olympic champion John Walker in 1982, and the indoor national mark of 3:51.06 run by Nick Willis in 2016. He is now the fastest mile runner in New Zealand history, surpassing legends like Walker, Willis and Peter Snell.
The race at Boston University, known for its fast track, featured a competitive field including three Olympians, a world champion, a junior world champion, a US champion and a two-time US college champion. Ruthe had initially planned to run behind training partner Sam Tanner, a two-time New Zealand Olympian, but Tanner was forced to withdraw after 400m with an Achilles injury. Undeterred, Ruthe took control of the race, ultimately overtaking Belgian Olympian Pieter Sisk on the final lap.
“I didn’t feel like I was going that fast to be honest,” Ruthe told an interviewer immediately after the race. “I can probably even go a bit faster.”
Ruthe’s success is rooted in a remarkable family history of running. His father, Ben Ruthe, won the Auckland Marathon in 2008 and New Zealand titles in the 1500m and 5000m. His mother, Jess Ruthe, also won the Auckland Marathon in 2009 and claimed New Zealand titles in the 1500m, 3000m, 5000m, and 10,000m (twice). His maternal grandfather, Trevor Wright, set a world record for the fastest debut marathon in 1971, and his maternal grandmother, Rosemary Wright (née Stirling), won 800m gold at the 1970 Commonwealth Games representing Scotland and competed in the 1972 Munich Olympics.
Sam’s younger sister, Daisy Ruthe, 14, is also a rising star, recently winning the New Zealand under-20 3000m championship in her first attempt at the distance. She has publicly stated her ambition to surpass her brother’s achievements.
The siblings’ training is overseen by Craig Kirkwood, whose junior running squad in Tauranga, New Zealand, has produced several elite athletes, including Olympian Sam Tanner and two-time Olympic medalist triathlete Hayden Wilde. Kirkwood’s approach emphasizes athlete autonomy, allowing runners to choose their training effort and fostering a supportive environment.
Despite his rapid progress, Ruthe’s training remains relatively conservative. He has not engaged in weight training or altitude training, and his weekly mileage is around 80-90km, lower than many professional runners. His parents and coach are prioritizing his education and long-term development.
Ruthe recently competed at a race in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, against Olympic gold medalist Cole Hocker, finishing seventh in 3:52.26 after being jostled in the race. Even as the result was not what Ruthe hoped for, his father and coach praised his aggressive racing strategy.
Ruthe is now targeting the Commonwealth Games and World Junior Championships in July and August. He declined an invitation to the senior World Indoor Championships in Toruń, Poland, to focus on his education.
