New Zealand runner Sam Ruthe has set a new under-20 record in the 3000 metres, meaning he now holds every under-20 running record from 800m to 5000m. He achieved the latest mark on Monday afternoon at the Saucony Battle in Boston, USA. Ruthe finished the 3000m in 7:43.16, beating the old record of 7:54.30 set by Liam Black in 2021 by more than 10 seconds.
Ruthe came second in the race, just behind American runner Ernest Cheruiyot. He started fast and was only 0.03 seconds behind Cheruiyot after the first 200 metres. After 800 metres, Ruthe dropped back to third, but he worked his way forward again. With 400 metres left, he and Cheruiyot were separated by just 0.24 seconds, showing how close the race was. Ruthe’s final 200 metres was his slowest part, yet it was still quick enough to secure the record.
Boston University has been a special place for Ruthe before, too. It was also the venue where he ran a 3:48.88 mile, becoming the youngest athlete ever to run a mile in under 3 minutes 50 seconds. That performance also broke the New Zealand men’s mile record, which had been held for 44 years by Sir John Walker.
Here are Ruthe’s under-20 record times: 800m (1:45.86), 1000m (2:17.82), 1500m (3:33.25), mile (3:48.88), 3000m (7:43.16), and 5000m (13:40.48).
