Just weeks after Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen stunned the world with record-breaking performances in the 1,500m and 3,000m, another jaw-dropping feat has shaken the track world. A 15-year-old prodigy from New Zealand has done the unthinkable that no one saw coming—rewriting history with a new milestone. With the world watching, Sam Ruthe has shattered a record that once belonged to Ingebrigtsen, proving that he is here to stay.
The record-breaking moment came at Go Media Stadium in Auckland, where Ruthe clocked an astonishing 3:58.35, surpassing the previous mark held by 16-year-old Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Cam Myers. Not only did he obliterate the milestone at an even younger age, but he also took down New Zealand’s U17 and U18 records, previously held by his own training partner, Sam Tanner. For a rising star, that’s quite the statement.
The track world quickly took notice, and Citius Mag posted about the record-breaking feat. The caption read, “ YOUNGEST PERSON TO BREAK FOUR MINUTES FOR THE MILE Sam Ruthe becomes the youngest athlete ever to break the four-minute mile! ” The record-breaking news has also left track and field fans buzzing. And his pacemakers, Ben Wall and Sam Tanner, both from New Zealand, went under four minutes.
YOUNGEST PERSON TO BREAK FOUR MINUTES FOR THE MILE
Sam Ruthe becomes the youngest athlete ever to break the four-minute mile!
The New Zealand sensation clocked 3:58.35 at Go Media Stadium in Auckland at just 15 years, 11 months, and 6 days old, surpassing the… pic.twitter.com/HWaThZBJKo
— CITIUS MAG (@CitiusMag) March 19, 2025
Additionally, breaking a world record at 15 years 11 months, and 6 days old is no small feat. As per Reuters, after this big feat, Ruthe said, “This was probably my favorite goal that I’ve reached. I’ve definitely enjoyed this one the most, with all the people here supporting me.” Ruthe also smashed his previous best time of 4:1.72 seconds in January, set at the Cooks Classic in Whanganui.
But do you know the exact age of Ingebrigtsen when he achieved this feat? He became the youngest at 16 years 8 months 8 days old when he ran for 3:56.29, but there is one more prodigy who broke the record in 2023. Any guesses? Well, it’s Cam Myers who ran 3:55.44 when he was 16 years 8 months 14 days. And with that, Sam Ruthe has rewritten the history and sparked quite a few comparisons as well. If Ingebrigtsen was seen as the ultimate teenage prodigy, where does that put Ruthe?
This season has been nothing short of sensational for the young prodigy. After breaking the 15-year-old 3,000m world in November, he lowered it twice more. Most recently, with a 7:56.18 run in Hastings to become the youngest-ever senior national champion—he delivered yet another shock! At the Dunedin nationals, he outdid himself again, tying for gold in the 1500m (3:44.51) with 24-year-old Tanner in a dramatic, history-making finish. With so many records, Ruthe seems to be the next champion but Jakob Ingebrigtsen knows what it’s like to be the young disruptor.
Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s teenage feats rewritten
Imagine being 16 and shattering the four-minute mile barrier—a feat many seasoned athletes only dream of. That’s precisely what Jakob Ingebrigtsen accomplished on May 27, 2017, clocking in at 3:58.07 and becoming the youngest ever to do so. This remarkable achievement was just the beginning for the Norwegian prodigy, who has since continued to redefine middle-distance running. But that was not it. A few weeks later, Jakob Ingebrigtsen ran 3:56.29 miles. And even his current PR is 3:43.73, which ranks third on the all-time list. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Norwegian prodigy beats Hicham El Guerrouj’s 1999 world record of 3:43.13.
Fast forward to February 2025, and Ingebrigtsen’s hunger for excellence remains insatiable. At an indoor meet in Liévin, France, he not only broke the world record for the mile with a time of 3:45.14 but also set a new 1500-meter record at 3:29.63—all in the same race. Such feats underscore his relentless pursuit of greatness and his ability to consistently push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Looking ahead, Ingebrigtsen has his sights set on conquering both the indoor and outdoor 1,500-meter world titles this season. Currently in China preparing for the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, he remains undeterred by past setbacks and is focused on achieving the elusive double—a testament to his unwavering dedication and competitive spirit.
With young talents like Ruthe emerging, the landscape of middle-distance running is more exciting than ever, promising fans a thrilling season ahead.
The post Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s Record Humbled as 15-Year-Old Track and Field Star Shatters World Record appeared first on EssentiallySports.
