The Sam Ruthe interview: Learning the sport, loving the process, and running a 3:48.88 mile at age 16

© Copyright – 2026 – Athletics Illustrated

Most of the running world is now aware of the name Sam Ruthe. He is the 16-year-old New Zealander who has run the mile as fast as 3:48.88, indoors. Yes, you read that correctly.

Ruthe’s parents, Ben and Jess, were international athletes, as were his grandparents. He having talent in endurance sports is no surprise, considering the lineage, but Ruthe’s recent performances move the standard. For example, if he were a soccer player, he could play in the Premier League. Ruthe turns 17 in April and has been running for only three years. Who knows what is next, but his athletic journey will be interesting to follow.

“For me, it isn’t about his times but the way that he handles it all. The pressure, expectation, completion, etc. I’m so proud of him for thriving in what is a really challenging and adult world. The fact he’s running fast is great, but it’s the person he’s becoming while this madness is going around him that I’m most proud of.

I feel a need to be there to catch him if ever needed. He has shown no signs of needing too and it won’t be long until he no longer needs us, but while he’s learning in this cauldron of competitive athletics, we need to be present. Running is a journey, and there will be injuries and disappointments, there will be tough days, and Jess and I just want to ensure that he’s well supported when those days come. He’s climbing high, and we are his spotters…it feels a bit like that really.”

—Ben Ruthe, Same Ruthe’s father.

Recent performances

The interview

Christopher Kelsall: Congratulations on all your recent success, especially that 3:48.88 indoor mile.

Sam Ruthe: Thanks so much.

CK: Your father was telling Let’s Run that 3:48 would be a “blow your mind” result. Secretly going in, did you think that you at least had an outside chance at a time like that?

SR: Honestly, I thought I could maybe run a 3:48 if everything went perfectly. We talked about a bad run time and an average run time too, but I said,”3:48 for a perfect one,” and I was lucky it all went as well as it could.

CK: Kids will typically do one of two things: repeat what their parents did or do the exact opposite. At what point were you aware that your parents and grandparents were international-level athletes and that you would like to follow in their footsteps?

SR: Well, my Nan and Poppa never had any photos or medals at their home, and so I didn’t even know they were runners until I was 11, I think. I remember finding out that Nan had won a Commonwealth Gold, and I remember not quite believing it because she was just my Nan. Mum and Dad don’t have medals or photos of them running displayed either, but I did see them going out running a bit. I don’t really think of it as following in their footsteps. I just really enjoy running and trying to get quicker.

CK: Do you follow the sport closely, and are you aware of how deep athletics runs in New Zealand, starting with Jack Dolan, who inspired Arthur Lydiard? Or are you blissfully ignorant and happy just to train and race?

SR: I really didn’t know much at all about running until recently. Dad has been teaching me about all these legends, but because we never talked about running growing up, I didn’t realize it, but I can see now how rich our history is with great runners like Snell, Walker, and Nick Willis. 

CK: What other sports have you played?

SR: I played rugby for six years growing up, I wasn’t very good at it, but I just enjoyed playing with my mates. I did swimming lessons until I was 14. I played ripper rugby and some triathlon too.

CK: Can you describe Craig Kirkwood’s coaching style? Motivator or quiet-give-you-the-plan type?

SR: Craig gives us the program just when we turn up, so we never know what we are going to get until we get there. He never tells us off or is ever disappointed; he really just gives us the work, and it’s up to us to do it and do it well. It’s good because it’s our responsibility, and there aren’t highs and lows with Craig; it’s just about consistency and training correctly.

CK: Are you planning to go to the NCAA for the academic and training and racing benefits?

SR: Well, this 3:48 may have changed plans. 

I wouldn’t actually race an outdoor track race for a college until May 2029 or something like that because I have two full years of high school left. And we finish at the end of the year. So, I would start in the autumn of 2028, which is after track season. Then, it would be over three years away, and I’ve only run for three years. So, there is a chance I may not, but I really like the NCAA and the education, opportunities and support it provides. 

CK: Do you have a short list of schools that are on your wish list?

SR: Yes, there are definitely some schools that I would really like to go to. They have great reputations, great coaches, and great histories, but I’m actually too young for them to contact me at the moment. 

CK: What are your goals for the coming outdoor season?

SR: Everything is changing at the moment. Because we will be in the middle of winter in New Zealand and the middle of the school year, it is hard to go away for long. That means I will be doing track training in winter after school when everyone is doing cross country.

Last year, I just took three weeks away and raced the Prefontaine B Mile, which started by hurdling someone who fell. And then a week later, Sound Running, where I ran a 3:39, so just two races for the whole summer. This year, I was going to take, I think, seven weeks off and race world juniors, but I think I may be selected for the Commonwealth Games, which means I may race a couple of US races, then head to the UK to race before the Commonwealth Games. 

I really just want to get into strong fields and race as well as possible, and the times will come eventually. My plan at the moment is to take three months off next year and have a full track season in Europe, more for learning and development. Also, the opportunity to race consistent high-quality fields. I haven’t been to Europe yet, so it will be good to race and train in that part of the world.

CK: What type of trainer are you? For example, do you like long runs and volume, or do you prefer specific sessions where there are more complex instructions?

SR: I really enjoy a long run, but my longest is only 17km so far. If I had to choose, though, it would be a track session because you can see where you are at. I just enjoy the feeling of running a bit faster and seeing how I’m tracking. There aren’t many sessions where Craig gets us to really push the pace, so I quite enjoy those sessions where we really get to go for it. 

CK: Favourite shoes right now?

SR: Nike streak fly, which is almost like a track spike for the road, it’s fast and dynamic for quick sessions.

CK: Bicarb? Or no Bicarb?

SR: Maurten for Bi Carb. I’ve used it before the records, and I find that the mix they have goes down easily, which others don’t.

CK: Good luck with your training and racing, and thanks for this. 

SR: Thanks.