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15-Year-Old Sam Ruthe Becomes Youngest to Run Sub-Four-Minute Mile

The New Zealand athlete clocked 3:58.35 at Go Media Stadium, surpassing Jakob Ingebrigtsen's record and setting new national age-group milestones.

Ruthe follows Sam Tanner on his way to a sub-four-minute mile.
New Zealand middle distance runner Sam Ruthe warms up before running in the mile distance at Mt Smart Stadium on March 19, 2025 in Auckland, New Zealand. Ruthe broke the four minute mile barrier with a time of 3:58.35 placing him as the youngest person in history and first under 15 years old to break the record.
Ruthe, 15, poses with his time of 3min 58.35sec, making him the youngest person to break the four-minute mile barrier, first achieved by Bannister in 1954
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Overview

  • Sam Ruthe, aged 15 years and 11 months, ran a 3:58.35 mile, becoming the youngest person ever to break the four-minute barrier.
  • He surpassed the previous youngest record-holder, Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who achieved the feat at 16 years old with a time of 3:58.07.
  • Ruthe's performance also broke New Zealand under-19 and under-20 records, previously held by his pacemaker and training partner, Sam Tanner.
  • The historic run took place on a rain-soaked track at Auckland's Go Media Stadium, with Tanner providing critical pacing support.
  • Ruthe described the achievement as his favorite goal accomplished, capping off a season that also saw him become the youngest senior national champion in New Zealand.