Sam Ruthe running 800m at Potts Classic - guess the pace?!

I have questions.

Will this race be indoors or out? The website says the meet is in conjunction with the short track championships, but Athletic dot net says it's an outdoor facility. Is it a 200m outdoor track??

athletics.org.nz

2026 Allan And Sylvia Potts Classic & New Zealand Short Track Championships | Summer Circuit | Athletics New Zealand

The Alan and Sylvia Potts Classic will be joined by the inaugural 2026 New Zealand Short Track Championships.

Open link

athletic.net

Track & Field, Cross Country Results, Statistics

Meet results and team scores.

Open link

Next question. Sam Tanner is the only other runner in the field with a seed time under 1:50, so why is the opening 400m pace set for 50.5? If the goal is to run 1:45, opening in 50 is crazy.

Outdoors, hopefully no wind

Whats with the username anyway?

The New Zealand Short Track Championships will be held in conjunction with the Allan and Sylvia Potts Classic. The short track races will be run on the indoor track there for the first time as qualification races for the world indoors in Poland while there will be the traditional Potts Classic races held on the full length outdoor 400m track. In regards to the pace, Ruthe is in top shape and they probably just want to see what he is currently capable of. He may burn up in the final lap or he may produce something truly incredible. 1:46 is already supersonic for a 16 year old.

I am going to say 1:46. I always did better running more consistent open in 53.4/54.9 (1:48.28). The problem is people think you need an insane first lap in an 800m you really don't unless you are going for a crazy fast record. I think of an 800m like a marathon in which you can run a crazy first 20miles but you better be ready for the last 10k to feel like you are in a nightmare trying to get away from a hungry 1,200 pound python but for some reason your not out of breath but you feel like you are climbing MT Everest with a Safe on your back. I have opened up in 49.9 in an 800m before maintained the pace until around the 550m point, split 1:18 at 600m and made it to the finish line in 1:52. If he he can do it good on him but he is looking to run an extremely experienced 800m!

I also understand I was nothing close to Sam's talent!

If the pacer goes 50.5 that means Sam, who would be following, would go 51.0-51.5. Come back in 53.5 and that is 1:45.

To get the windbreaking benefit of the pacer, Sam should be within 0.5 of him. That means 51.0 for Sam's opening. Too fast. If he wants to run 1:45, he should open in 52.0.

I don't see Brad Mathas on the start list??

Well 50.5 is too fast for a guy trying to run 1:45. Hoping he runs 51-mid or 52 and I could see a 1:45.xx absolutely

So both James Preston and Peter Bol were rumored to be running but Bol is not going to race until mid Feb now and Preston has pulled out because he was dealing with something health related.

It's interesting because there is no oval indoor track there (there isn't one in all of NZ actually) but they do have an 8 lane 60m indoor surface there in the sports hall next to the track. So they 60m races, 60m hurdles, jumps and the shot put.

Back to the 800m, I would guess that the 50.5 was floated when Bol and at least Preston were potentially starting. Clearly the Ruthe camp has control over this pace how - I'd guess it's closer to 51.5 with his target being 52.0

What can he run? Well the Hastings track has short straights and long bends which is great for distance running. Problem might be the wind because at this time of the year in HB the wind rarely drops before complete sunset and the race is at what, 7.40pm? Shame they couldn't get the floodlights on for this one.

I think he might run a small PR battling the breeze. 1.46.55 for the win.

Correct - originally we (James) asked for the 50.5, but he has been struck down with vertigo the past 8 days while here in Australia and we've decided not to risk racing just yet.

Will still be a great race with the two Sam's.

JR

someone will probably take it out in 52 or so, and then see whos left, and then take it home.

in these type of races you don't come close to your PR ...

147 would be more than fantastic under those conditions.

1:40.9

What about Brad Mathas? When will we see him race coach Rinaldi?

He's joined another group, so not sure what he's up to.

Yeah, that’s hard to read. It sounds like you’re feeling unsure and maybe a bit uneasy about his intentions, which is completely understandable. When someone joins another group without much explanation, it naturally raises questions. Hopefully, with time, things become clearer or you get a chance to understand what’s really going on.

A Kiwi arrives, a Kiwi departs… the clues are there for those who enjoy a good puzzle

Well off the mark there.

I think he'll run sub 1.47,perhaps even around 1.46.2. He's a 49 second 400 runner,so the speed is there.