Running News Daily

Teen Phenom Sam Ruthe Shatters Age-Group 1500m Record at Sir Graeme Douglas International

New Zealand's rising middle-distance star, Sam Ruthe, has added yet another milestone to his stunning season, breaking a world best for 1500 meters previously held by two-time Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway.

Competing at the Sir Graeme Douglas International in Auckland on February 9, 2025, the 15-year-old sensation clocked an incredible 3:41.25, finishing second behind Japan’s Ryoji Tatezawa (3:40.20). Along the way, Ruthe obliterated New Zealand's U17 and U18 records in yet another remarkable display of his talent.

His latest feat continues a historic two-week streak that has seen him produce jaw-dropping times across multiple distances:

4:01.72 for the mile

1:50.57 for 800m

7:56.18 for 3000m

Ruthe also recently became the youngest athlete to ever win a senior men’s national title in New Zealand.

While thrilled with his performance, Ruthe admitted that surpassing Ingebrigtsen’s age-group mark wasn’t his primary focus going into the race.

"I wasn't exactly targeting that record," he said. "I just went into the race hoping to do the best I could in terms of placing, and it was a bonus to get his record. I definitely had it in the back of my mind."

His time shaved over five seconds off his previous best, set en route to his mile record two weeks ago in Whanganui.

As in his 3000m national title race a week earlier, Ruthe executed a patient and tactical race, staying with the lead pack while others faded. Entering the final 100 meters in fourth, he unleashed a devastating kick, overtaking Australians Will Lewis and Matt Hussey to secure second place.

"I was actually quite lucky they both moved out quite wide, so I could find the gap," Ruthe explained. "It felt real, real nice having that gap open up. I go into these races, parking in behind the other people and hoping they pull me through—and this race did exactly that."

With every performance, Ruthe inches closer to an even bigger goal—becoming the youngest athlete to break four minutes for the mile, a feat also accomplished by Ingebrigtsen at 16 years old. His latest 1500m time suggests he’s within striking distance.

His next opportunity to chase history? The Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne next month, where his performance in Auckland should secure him a spot in the elite mile field.

Ruthe's 3:41.25 brings him agonizingly close to another milestone—his father’s best time. Former New Zealand 1500m champion Ben Ruthe still holds the household record by just three-hundredths of a second.

"That's alright," the younger Ruthe said with a grin. "I don't think he'll have it for long, so he should enjoy it while it lasts."

With his meteoric rise, it’s only a matter of time before Sam Ruthe rewrites not just family records—but history itself.