New Zealand runner, 15, becomes youngest to break four-minute mile

Ruthe surged over the line in 3 mins 58.35 secs at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland on Wednesday evening, driven on by his pacesetters, including two-time Olympian Sam Tanner who won the race.

"This was probably my favorite goal that I've reached," Ruthe told local media.

"I've definitely enjoyed this one the most, with all the people here supporting me.

"It was absolutely magical to cross with my training partner Sam (Tanner), one of the nicest feelings ever."

Sam Ruthe (R) becomes the youngest athlete ever to run a sub-four-minute mile on March 19, 2025. Photo by Instagram/@sam.ruthe

Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who holds multiple world records, was previously the youngest to shatter the four-minute barrier when he ran 3:58.07 as a 16-year-old.

Australian Cam Myers's 3:55.44 is currently the best time for a 16-year-old.

The four-minute-mile has been a middle-distance benchmark since Britain's Roger Bannister first breached it in 1954.

New Zealand runners have a storied history in the mile.

John Walker became the first man to break 3:50 for the mile in 1975, before claiming Olympic gold over 1500m the following year.

Before Walker, New Zealand greats like Peter Snell and Jack Lovelock set world records and redefined middle-distance running.

Ruthe appears to be following in their footsteps, bettering the world best for a 15-year-old over 3000m in November, then lowering it twice more, most recently clocking 7:56.18.

Athletics runs in the family with Ruthe's father Ben a former national record holder over 800 and 1000m, while his mother held national cross-country titles, the New Zealand Herald said.

His grandmother Rosemary was a champion 400m relay sprinter and 800m Commonwealth Games gold medallist.

"I'm shocked, a bit relieved. Stoked for him. A bit lost for words," dad Ben Ruthe said.