Ruthe, from Tauranga, admits he was surprised to run that time having only just landed in the US for a series of races.
“To break the New Zealand record, I am stoked, I can’t believe it,” Ruthe said.
The 16-year-old was the youngest in the race by three years and was competing in a field of professional athletes, including multiple runners who have competed at the Olympics.
Pieter Sisk, who represented Belgium at the 2024 Olympics, came second in 3m 50.31s.
Ruthe moved from second to first over the final lap of the indoor race and his time is the 11th-fastest all-time in the indoor mile.
“My coach, Craig [Kirkwood] wanted me to settle in to about fifth and [Sam] Tanner got me there,” Ruthe said.
“Travel had gone really well and I felt ready. I wanted to race to win and wasn’t wanting a time, but I didn’t expect to run that.
“I feel for Sam, who had to pull out as he felt his leg tighten up. Craig would have had us both under that record if his leg hadn’t gone. Just so grateful.”
The fastest-ever indoor mile record is currently held by Norwegian Jakob Ingebrigtsen (3m 45.14s).
Just last week, Ruthe became the fastest 16-year-old to ever run the mile, achieving the feat at the Cooks Classic when he clocked 3m 53.83s to go under the former world record mark held by Australian Cam Myers.
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.
