New Zealand runner Sam Ruthe. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Tauranga teenager Sam Ruthe has another sub four minute mile in his sights as he prepares to compete at the famous Prefontaine Classic in the United States this weekend.
In March, Ruthe became the youngest runner to break four minutes for the mile, with a 3m 58.35s performance at Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium.
Paced throughout by training partner and two-time Olympian Sam Tanner, Ruthe became the first 15-year-old to duck under the mythical benchmark for middle-distance running.
The pair will line-up together again in Eugene, Oregon on Sunday in the International Mile which is a part of the Diamond League meeting.
Now 16-years-old, Ruthe aims to be the youngest ever to break four minutes in the mile on US soil, a record currently held by Norwegian star Jakob Ingebrigtsen.
Ingebrigtsen was 16 years and 250 days old at the time.
Technically the B race at the meet, the International Mile does have some quality runners featuring 3:50 miler Cooper Teare of the US and the USA's top high-schooler Owen Powell.
Shot-putters Tom Walsh and Maddison-Lee Wesche are also competing at the event.
Anna Grimaldi stars in an ever growing para-program at the Prefontaine Classic.
Competing in a mixed-classification 100m para. She'll line up against USA's Brittni Mason who finished ahead of Grimaldi at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games over the 100m T47.
Mitch Joynt will also line up at the 50th edition of the Pre Classic in the 200m T62 / T64 Para.
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