Sam Ruthe
Sam Ruthe is a promising young runner from Tauranga, New Zealand, who has set his sights on breaking the four-minute mile barrier. At just 15 years old, he recently tied with two-time Olympian Sam Tanner in the 1500m senior final at the New Zealand Track & Field Championships, showcasing his talent on the national stage. Ruthe aims to improve upon his personal best of 4:01.72, which would make him the holder of the two fastest times in history for his age group.
Not in the pool (under ¢1).
Recent news mentions
Sam Ruthe is a teenage runner who became the youngest person ever to break the four-minute mile barrier.
‘I think I could run even faster’: the NZ teenager shattering athletics records | New Zealand
United Kingdom· 2026-03-06
Sam Ruthe is a teenager who has risen to New Zealand-level stardom in athletics by breaking records.
Sam Ruthe mile record: How a Tauranga teen’s simple routine fuels freakish speed
New Zealand· 2026-02-16
Sam Ruthe is a finalist in athletics.
Halberg Awards live updates: Who will claim New Zealand’s top sporting honour?New Zealand· 2026-02-16
Sam Ruthe is a 16-year-old athlete who is chasing a qualifying time for the Commonwealth Games.
Sam Ruthe seventh at Sound Invite as teen chases Commonwealth Games qualifying timeNew Zealand· 2026-02-15
Sam Ruthe is a 16-year-old athlete who is chasing a qualifying time for the Commonwealth Games.
Sam Ruthe seventh at Sound Invite as teen chases Commonwealth Games qualifying timeNew Zealand· 2026-02-15Sam Ruthe is a Kiwi teen track star who broke the national record for the mile and is a strong contender for the Commonwealth Games.
The baby who was born to run: Kiwi teen track star Sam Ruthe on his astonishing achievements and fleet-footed familyNew Zealand· 2026-02-13
Sam Ruthe recently ran 3m 48.88s indoors at Boston University’s Terrier Classic and shattered Walker’s 1982 New Zealand outdoor mile record.
Athletics marvel Sam Ruthe destined for black-singlet glory – EditorialNew Zealand· 2026-02-09
A 16-year-old from New Zealand has set a new world record for the fastest mile run by an under–18 athlete.
Teen sets new record for fastest mile by a junior athlete
United States· 2026-02-02
Ruthe said he really appreciated the Prime Minister’s words.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon congratulates teen running star Sam Ruthe after smashing mile recordNew Zealand· 2026-02-01
Sam Ruthe’s New Zealand mile record puts him in mix for Commonwealth Games debut.
Sam Ruthe’s New Zealand mile record puts him in mix for Commonwealth Games debutNew Zealand· 2026-02-01
Tauranga schoolboy Sam Ruthe ran the mile in 3m 53.36s in Whanganui.
Live updates: Recovery operation in Mt Maunganui landslide as families grieve six missingNew Zealand· 2026-01-25Teen athletics star Sam Ruthe smashes mile world record for his age.
Teen athletics star Sam Ruthe smashes mile world record for his ageNew Zealand· 2026-01-25
Sam Ruthe edges Sam Tanner in recordbreaking 800m.
Running prodigy Sam Ruthe edges Sam Tanner in recordbreaking 800mNew Zealand· 2026-01-17
Sam Ruthe set a new benchmark in the 800m and broke the 1500m record at the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ championships.
Athletics: Sam Ruthe sets new benchmark in 800m a day after breaking 1500m record at secondary schools championshipsNew Zealand· 2025-12-07
Sam Ruthe obliterated the NZ schoolboy 1500m record at the secondary schools championships.
Sam Ruthe obliterates NZ schoolboy 1500m record at secondary schools championshipsNew Zealand· 2025-12-06Sam Ruthe obliterated the NZ schoolboy 1500m record at the secondary schools championships.
Sam Ruthe obliterates NZ schoolboy 1500m record at secondary schools championshipsNew Zealand· 2025-12-06Ruthe is set to tackle the senior boys’ 1500 metres record held by Richard Potts for 36 years.
On The Up: NZ schools athletics champs records being broken even before the games beginNew Zealand· 2025-12-03
Sam Ruthe had just broken the world record for the youngest person to break the four-minute-mile barrier.
Beloved ex-Wellington College teacher and athletics coach Neville Paul diesNew Zealand· 2025-08-05
Sam Ruthe became the youngest person in history to run a four-minute mile at the age of 15.
Tauranga’s Sam Ruthe breaks two NZ records in LANew Zealand· 2025-07-13
Sam Ruthe became the youngest person in history to run a four-minute mile at the age of 15.
Tauranga’s Sam Ruthe breaks two NZ records in LANew Zealand· 2025-07-13Ruthe became the youngest person to break the four-minute-mile barrier.
30 Under 30 - the young New Zealanders shaping our futureNew Zealand· 2025-07-07
Sam Ruthe is a celebrated age-group runner who became the youngest-ever New Zealand senior track and field champion.
On The Up: 11yo Taradale runner may have broken 5km world recordNew Zealand· 2025-05-07
Current teenaged star Sam Ruthe’s 3000m win on February 1, at age 15 the youngest-ever New Zealand senior athletics champion.
Funds crisis for all-weather athletics track in HastingsNew Zealand· 2025-04-18
Sam Ruthe is a 15-year-old running weapon who is breaking the four-minute mile at a young age.
On The Up: Toni Street on why she is backing NZME’s new campaign - and who inspires herNew Zealand· 2025-04-07
Sam Ruthe became the first 15-year-old to run a sub-four-minute mile.
Sam Ruthe, 15, has already run a four-minute mile. He would ‘love to try and qualify’ for the 2028 OlympicsUnited States· 2025-03-29
Ruthe broke the schools’ junior boys 1500m record in Timaru in December, with a time of 3m 49.2s.
Sam Ruthe puts Hawke’s Bay runner Richard Potts’ 1989 schools record at riskNew Zealand· 2025-03-21
Ruthe broke the schools’ junior boys 1500m record in Timaru in December.
Sam Ruthe puts Hawke’s Bay runner Richard Potts’ 1989 schools record at riskNew Zealand· 2025-03-21Sam Ruthe, a 15-year-old from New Zealand, became the youngest person to run a sub-four-minute mile.
Sam Ruthe: New Zealander, 15, becomes youngest person to run sub-four-minute mileUnited Kingdom· 2025-03-20
Sam Ruthe is the youngest four-minute mile runner who recently broke a world record.
Sam Ruthe: Youngest four-minute mile runner eyes balance and next big event after breaking world recordNew Zealand· 2025-03-20
Sam Ruthe is a world record-breaking runner full of potential.
World record-breaking Tauranga runner Sam Ruthe full of potential, says coachNew Zealand· 2025-03-20
