World's fastest teen sets mile record in Boston

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Updated: 10:47 AM EST Feb 2, 2026

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Editorial Standards ⓘ

Jamy Pombo Sesselman

Senior Digital Editor/Producer, WCVB.com

The fastest teen in the world set a new record in Massachusetts on Saturday at an event held at Boston University.

Sam Ruthe, 16, of New Zealand ran a 3:48:88 mile, which is the fastest mile run by an athlete under 18 years old.

Ruthe set the record at the John Thomas Terrier Classic. He was in second place, but surged ahead in the final 100 meters.

For comparison, that speed is over 15 miles per hour. The Green Line averages only 11 miles per hour.

The Boston race was the first of four-mile races Ruthe plans to run this month before he returns home for New Zealand's National Championships in March.