Teen Prodigy Sam Ruthe Shatters Records with Blazing 3:48.88 Mile in Boston

By Suraj Karowa /ANW February 2 ,2026

Sam Ruthe crossed the finish line in an extraordinary 3:48.88 minutes at the John Thomas Terrier Classic in Boston on January 31, 2026.

— A 16-year-old New Zealand running sensation has rewritten the record books, clocking an astonishing 3:48.88 for the mile at the John Thomas Terrier Classic on January 31, 2026.

Sam Ruthe not only claimed the world indoor record for under-18 athletes but also eclipsed New Zealand’s all-time mark held by Olympic legend John Walker for over 40 years.

Competing on the ultra-fast indoor track at Boston University’s Track and Tennis Center, Ruthe outkicked a field stacked with professionals in the invitational heat.

Trailing Belgian Pieter Sisk heading into the final lap, the teen unleashed a ferocious 100-meter surge, finishing 1.43 seconds ahead.

“I didn’t feel like I was going that fast to be honest. I still don’t believe it… I’m completely stoked,” Ruthe told FloTrack broadcaster post-race, his disbelief palpable amid the cheers.

What made the feat even more remarkable? Ruthe treated the event as a casual “rust buster” after a grueling 9,000-mile journey from New Zealand just three days prior.

Jet-lagged and shaking off travel cobwebs, he still produced a time that ranks as the 11th-fastest indoor mile ever, all ages considered—only 3.7 seconds shy of Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s world indoor record of 3:45.14 from 2025.

New Zealand middle distance runner Sam Ruthe warms up before running in the mile distance at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand on March 19, 2025.

This isn’t Ruthe’s first brush with history. Last March, he became the youngest ever to break four minutes outdoors, running 3:58.35 in Auckland.

Just last week, at New Zealand’s Cooks Classic, he set the world under-16 outdoor mile record with 3:53.83, nipping at the heels of Olympian training partner Sam Tanner.

Now, he’s eyeing three more mile races this month before New Zealand’s national championships in March.

“There’s definitely more in the tank… I could probably go a bit faster,” he predicted right after crossing the line.

Ruthe’s triumph also dethroned John Walker, the 1976 Olympic 800m gold medalist and first man to break 3:50 for the mile (3:49.08 in 1982 at age 30).

“I really didn’t expect to get Walker’s national record today,” Ruthe told CNN Sports.

“I hoped to get it one day but that was a real surprise… I feel like I’m the luckiest person in the world.”

Running runs deep in the Ruthe lineage. Parents Ben and Jessica are national champions, while grandmother Rosemary Stirling competed in the 1972 Olympics.

“To see him achieve this so early is wonderful but comes with significant challenges,” Ben Ruthe said.

The family endured a 50-hour odyssey to Boston for top-tier competition unavailable at home.

“All well worth it,” he added.Indoor racing was a novelty for Ruthe—New Zealand lacks such tracks.

He admitted initial nerves about the tight 200-meter turns but adapted seamlessly. “I got into a really good spot early and it all just felt good,” he said.

The banked oval’s speed-friendly design, combined with drafting behind elite pacers, gave him an edge over windy outdoor sessions back home.

“Nice not to worry about the wind like we have to on our long island in the middle of an ocean,” Ruthe quipped.

World Athletics separates indoor (200m) and outdoor (400m) records due to variances in turns, weather, and facilities, ensuring fair comparisons.

Ruthe’s mark underscores his raw talent amid these controlled conditions.At 16, Ruthe already eyes the 2028 Olympics.

“I’d love to try and qualify,” he recently shared. Experts see parallels to prodigies like Ingebrigtsen, who dominated young.

With family support and relentless drive, Ruthe could redefine middle-distance running.

This Boston breakthrough cements Ruthe as a global force, blending Kiwi grit with prodigious speed.

As he racks up races, the athletics world watches: How low can he go?