13-07-2025
Sam Ruthe Breaks Two NZ Records In LA - Runs Sub 3.40 1500m
The kiwi teenage middle-distance phenom, Sam Ruthe, is making a habit of rewriting record books. Ruthe has lowered his own national U17 and U18 1500m records, and run sub 3 minutes and 40 seconds for the first time in the process. Ruthe raced in the Sound Running Sunset Tour 1500m in Los Angeles at Occidental College - Jack Kemp Stadium.
Ruthe's time of 3:49.17s to finish in 5th place also came within 0.4s of Sam Tanner's U19 and U20 NZ Records. The now 16-year-old has concluded a short racing stint in the USA, which included a 4 minute mile performance at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon last weekend.
'I went out pretty hard' 'With one lap to go the pace lights were right beside me, and I thought ooh feeling quite good. The last lap it felt like the pace light sped up.'
On running against senior men 'they obviously race a bit smarter, having a field this deep is obviously handy, there wont be as many breaks in the line.'
Competing in the top section of the men's 1500m, Ruthe was right amongst the race from the gun. 'I went out pretty hard' said Ruthe. 'With one lap to go the pace lights were right beside me, and I thought I was feeling quite good but over the last lap it felt like the pace light sped up.'
Aside from a strong kick from Ben Allen of Empire Elite Track Club to take out the race, you could throw a blanket over the second through fifth place finishers, only separated by less than half a second.
Ruthe has made a rapid turnaround in his season, flipping from the cross country season in winter to the international track and field circuit in just three weeks. Ruthe finished second at the 2025 New Zealand Secondary Schools Cross Country Championships at Barge, Park in Whanganui to setting national records over the 1500m in Los Angeles. Ruthe finished behind the impressive Caleb Wagener, who since has the world U19 duathlon title in Pontevedra, Spain.
