Sam Ruthe: The 15-Year-Old Phenom Who Shattered the Four-Minute Mile Barrier

(Getty Images: Phil Walter)

In the world of middle-distance running, breaking the four-minute mile is like unlocking a secret level in a video game—something only the absolute best can do. It’s a milestone that has separated the good from the legendary since Sir Roger Bannister first cracked it in 1954.

And now? Sam Ruthe just rewrote the rulebook.

On March 19, 2025, New Zealand’s Sam Ruthe, at just 15 years, 11 months, and 7 days old, became the youngest person ever to break four minutes in the mile. Running an insane 3:58.35 at the ACA Mile Night in Auckland, he joined a club of middle-distance legends before he’s even old enough to drive.

So how did he do it? And what’s next for this young phenom? Let’s break it down.

The Night Sam Ruthe Made History

Going into the ACA Mile Night, Ruthe was already making waves in New Zealand’s running scene, but nobody expected him to make history on this scale.

The race was set up for speed. With two-time Olympian Sam Tanner acting as both competition and pacer, the goal was simple: go sub-four.

• The first two laps? Tactical, controlled, and perfectly paced.

• Lap three? Ruthe still looked smooth, locked in with the front pack.

• The final 400 meters? Absolute madness.

With 200 meters to go, Tanner surged, trying to hold off the teenager on his heels. But Ruthe wasn’t backing down. He kicked hard in the last stretch, crossing the line in 3:58.35—just 0.06 seconds behind Tanner (3:58.29).

It didn’t matter that he finished second. The record books only cared about one thing:

💥 Sam Ruthe, at 15 years old, had just broken the four-minute mile barrier. 💥

Breaking Records Before Most Kids Get a Learner’s Permit

To put this in perspective, here’s who he just beat for the title of youngest sub-four-minute miler ever:

🏃 Jakob Ingebrigtsen (Norway) – 3:58.07 at 16 years, 8 months, 8 days in 2017. He went on to become an Olympic champion and now has a mile PR of 3:43.73 (No. 3 all-time).

🏃 Cam Myers (Australia) – 3:55.44 at 16 years, 8 months, 14 days in 2023. A year later, he ran 3:50.15 and 3:47.48 indoors (No. 5 on the all-time indoor list).

But now? Sam Ruthe is at the top of that list.

How Did He Pull This Off?

There’s no fluke when it comes to running sub-four. You don’t just wake up and decide, “Hey, today seems like a good day to run a mile faster than 99.99% of humans ever have.”

This was months—maybe years—in the making.

1. The Perfect Race Setup

The ACA Mile Night was designed for fast times, with expert pacers setting a flawless rhythm. The weather was a big question mark, but by race time, conditions were just right.

2. Training Like a Pro (Before He’s Even a Pro)

Ruthe’s training focused on speed endurance, meaning he wasn’t just fast over short distances—he could hold that speed deep into a race. His workouts included:✔️ Mile repeats at sub-4:10 pace✔️ 400-meter intervals at 55-56 seconds✔️ Long runs for endurance

3. Mental Toughness at a Ridiculous Level

Most 15-year-olds would be terrified to line up next to an Olympian in one of the biggest races of their life. But Ruthe? Cool as ice.

“I just ran my race. I knew if I stayed patient, I’d have a shot,” he said after the race.

The Running Legacy Behind Sam Ruthe

Ruthe’s achievement wasn’t just his own hard work—he comes from a long line of elite runners.

🏅 Grandfather: Trevor Wright, a top British marathoner.🏅 Grandmother: Rosemary Stirling, a Commonwealth Games gold medalist.🏅 New Zealand Icons: He now follows in the footsteps of Peter Snell, John Walker, and Nick Willis, some of the country’s greatest middle-distance legends.

The New Zealand running dynasty just found its next chapter—and it’s named Sam Ruthe.

What’s Next? A Showdown with Cam Myers

You’d think that after breaking a world record at 15, Ruthe might take some time to celebrate. Nope. He’s already locked in for his next race.

March 29 – Maurie Plant Meet, Melbourne🔥 Ruthe vs. Cam Myers (Australia’s top young talent)

Myers ran 3:55.44 at 16 years old and has already clocked 3:47.48 indoors. If these two go head-to-head, we’re looking at a battle of the future stars of middle-distance running.

But long term? Ruthe already has his sights set on the 2028 Olympics.

Imagine this: A 19-year-old Sam Ruthe lining up in the Olympic 1500m final. Sound crazy? Maybe. But so did breaking four minutes at 15.

Final Thoughts: A Star is Born

Sam Ruthe didn’t just run fast—he did something that almost no one in history has done.

✔️ Youngest ever to break four minutes✔️ Competed against Olympians and held his own✔️ Now a legit name in the global running scene

The big question now: How fast can he go?

Will we see him break 3:50 before he turns 18?Will he be a world-class 1500m runner by 2028?

No one knows for sure. But if this race proved anything, it’s that Sam Ruthe is just getting started.