To be fair, it's astonishing that they (and the Brojos) allow a single person to make repeated doping accusations against a 15 year old kid, ruining every thread celebrating his achievements, and all on the premises that he's faster than Jim Ryun (who ran 3:58 at 17 just ten years after Bannister became the first to run 3:59), and that 60 years of improved shoe and track technology plus training refinements make zero difference.
Especially when you consider the same mods delete doping accusations against grown men who are far more likely to be doping, such as Cole Hocker or Arop.
I'm Sams Dad. He's a pretty normal kid in every way (including his maturity) except he can run fast and has an incredibly calm temperament. He loves to run with his mates and just has a joy for the sport. He doesn't really understand what he's done, as you don't when you are 15. We have the greatest support around us, a wonderful coach and training partners. Our kids didn't even know that Nanna won a Commonwealth Gold in the 800m or Poppa set a debut Marathon world record until they were about 10 years old. Nanna and Poppa don't have running photos or trophies displayed and as my wife Jess (who has made 4 world Cross country teams and won dozens of national titles) says, "it's only running".
The most important thing for us is that we grow a good human, a kind, humble and thoughtful kid that help others. We are truely lucky to have Sam and Daisy as our children and they are just the joy if our lives. Whatever will be will be. We will always support them and help them through whatever challenges they face, good and bad. We know tough days will come in life and we will be there along with all the other wonderful people they are surrounded by.
Thanks for everyone that offers support and encouragement. Jess and I watch on as fans and parents and greatly appreciate it.
He broke a 50 year old record of 4:08.8 held by Jim Arriola, set in 1974. And he has taken OVER 10 seconds off it!!! Good stuff.
Sorry, no.
AGE 15 4:00.84 Abdalla Abdelgadir (SUD) 09/12/1987 Dublin, IR 08/15/03
9/12/1988 since his family claimed different birth years for him ... his mom couldn't remember the year. So his age times are not recognized at all.
In 1988 he "would have been 14"? Probably years older. His time is not recognized because of lack of a proper, verifiable birth certificate. Africa style.
Here is the progression per age-records.125mb.com and archive.org. Poor Jim almost held the record for 48 years (3 months short).
15 4:08.8 Jim Arriola USA 10 Jun 58 Long Beach CA 1 Jun 74 15 4:07.05 Cameron Myers AUS 9 Jun 06 Melbourne 19 Mar 22 15 4:05.77 Corey Campbell GBR 26 Jul 06 Stirling 20 May 22 15 4:05.48 Evan Grime GBR 18 Nov 08 Loughborough 22 Jun 24 15 4:01.72 Sam Ruthe NZL 12 Apr 09 Whanganui 25 Jan 25 15 3:58.35 Sam Ruthe NZL 12 Apr 09 Auckland 19 Mar 25
AGE 15 4:00.84 Abdalla Abdelgadir (SUD) 09/12/1987 Dublin, IR 08/15/03
9/12/1988 since his family claimed different birth years for him ... his mom couldn't remember the year. So his age times are not recognized at all.
In 1988 he "would have been 14"? Probably years older. His time is not recognized because of lack of a proper, verifiable birth certificate. Africa style.
Here is the progression per age-records.125mb.com and archive.org. Poor Jim almost held the record for 48 years (3 months short).
15 4:08.8 Jim Arriola USA 10 Jun 58 Long Beach CA 1 Jun 74 15 4:07.05 Cameron Myers AUS 9 Jun 06 Melbourne 19 Mar 22 15 4:05.77 Corey Campbell GBR 26 Jul 06 Stirling 20 May 22 15 4:05.48 Evan Grime GBR 18 Nov 08 Loughborough 22 Jun 24 15 4:01.72 Sam Ruthe NZL 12 Apr 09 Whanganui 25 Jan 25 15 3:58.35 Sam Ruthe NZL 12 Apr 09 Auckland 19 Mar 25
This is a very interesting discussion, and I’m not at all surprised by what Sam Ruthe accomplished that evening. I’m not sure how many of the people commenting actually coach young athletes, but from my experience, I can attest that young athletes in countries outside of the U.S. often find themselves training in environments that cater to all skill levels. This creates a unique situation where athletes quickly learn at a young age what it takes to train and improve.
A few years ago, I coached a 13-year-old athlete who placed 43rd at our National Cross Country Championships. Since then, he has achieved times of 1:53 in the 800m, 3:50 in the 1500m, and 4:10 in the mile, all by the age of 15. You might wonder why that’s the case. Over the past few years, he’s trained alongside athletes who’ve run 1:46 in the 800m, 3:44/8:08 for the 1500m/3k, and one of his close friends, a 19-year-old, has run 8:05 for the 3000m and 14:00 for the 5000m. Being part of such a strong training environment, where you train with your friends, has made a huge difference.
While this athlete may not have the same genetic potential as Sam, he’s still showing great promise and is only getting started. This is the new reality when it comes to athletic performances – the environment and the people you train with and coaching matter more than ever.
he is indeed 15, but only three weeks short of 16. It's my similar point to calling 3:59.8 milers ..3:59 guys, when they are way closer to 4 minutes LOL. I get voted down on this every time, so don't bother LOL, I get it.
Fifteen is the line now. Maybe someday it will be fourteen. Maybe not. At some point there won't be a new line.
That's the paradox here. Age (or youth) is no apparent barrier to age records. Everything remains possible in the best of all possible worlds.
At some point age will be a barrier. It's a matter of when. You're not going to see a nine year old running under four minutes for the mile. Personally, and this is just my opinion, I would not be stunned if an "old" fourteen year old did it someday nor would I be stunned if fifteen remained the line, though perhaps someone months or weeks younger than Sam Ruthe might do it.
That's the paradox here. Age (or youth) is no apparent barrier to age records. Everything remains possible in the best of all possible worlds.
At some point age will be a barrier. It's a matter of when. You're not going to see a nine year old running under four minutes for the mile. Personally, and this is just my opinion, I would not be stunned if an "old" fourteen year old did it someday nor would I be stunned if fifteen remained the line, though perhaps someone months or weeks younger than Sam Ruthe might do it.
I wouldn’t be shocked by a 13 year old. You would need the combo of an early maturing kid, early training, track season lining up when they are a late 13, and obviously a ton of talent. Thats a lot of stuff to line up.
At some point age will be a barrier. It's a matter of when. You're not going to see a nine year old running under four minutes for the mile. Personally, and this is just my opinion, I would not be stunned if an "old" fourteen year old did it someday nor would I be stunned if fifteen remained the line, though perhaps someone months or weeks younger than Sam Ruthe might do it.
I wouldn’t be shocked by a 13 year old. You would need the combo of an early maturing kid, early training, track season lining up when they are a late 13, and obviously a ton of talent. Thats a lot of stuff to line up.
Of course we're guessing. I wouldn't rule 13 out but right now I think it's a real long shot.