Sam Ruthe Becomes Youngest Athlete to Run a Sub-Four-Minute Mile

The 15-year-old New Zealander clocked 3:58.35 in Auckland, breaking age and national records in a historic achievement.

Sam Ruthe, 15, ran a time of 3:58.35 at Go Media Stadium in Auckland, making him the youngest person ever to break the four-minute mile barrier.
The previous record was held by Jakob Ingebrigtsen, who achieved the feat at age 16 with a time of 3:58.07.
Ruthe’s performance also broke New Zealand’s under-20 and under-19 records previously held by Sam Tanner, who paced him during the race.
This milestone comes shortly after Ruthe became the youngest-ever senior national champion in the 3,000 meters at the New Zealand Track and Field Championships.
The sub-four-minute mile, first achieved in 1954 by Roger Bannister, remains a landmark in middle-distance running, with modern training and technology aiding athletes like Ruthe in reaching new heights.