Fifteen-year-old Sam Ruthe has become the youngest man to win a national senior track and field title in New Zealand.
Competing in the 3000m race at the Potts Classic in Hastings, Ruthe surged ahead in the final lap, finishing nearly 10 meters clear of his experienced rivals.
His winning time of 7 minutes 56.18 seconds was not only a personal best but also a world-best for his age group.
Ruthe’s victory broke a record that had stood since 1957 when Dave Norris won a national title at age 17. On the women’s side, Karen Whimp was just a few days older than Ruthe when she won the high jump in 1976.
The young athlete has been setting records throughout the season. In November, he ran 3000m in 8:09.68 at a meet in Auckland, breaking New Zealand’s under-17 and under-18 records. His time was also more than a second faster than the previous world-best for a 15-year-old. Last week in Whanganui, he completed a mile in 4 minutes 1.72 seconds, which is the fastest recorded time for his age.
Ruthe’s parents, Ben and Jessica, were both national middle-distance champions. His father even helped set the pace in the early laps of the Potts Classic race.
He trains under coach Craig Kirkwood, who also mentors Olympians Sam Tanner and Hayden Wilde.
