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    THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCAST

    THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCAST

    About

    The Running Effect tells the best stories in running—and turns them into insight, inspiration, and tools to help competitive runners become greater. Every week, host Dominic Schlueter sits down with the fastest, smartest, and most inspiring people in the sport—from Olympic medalists to breakthrough athletes—to unpack the stories, lessons, and mindset behind elite performance. Whether you’re chasing a personal best or looking to understand how greatness is built, The Running Effect will make you a deeper fan of the sport—and a better runner.

    Hosted By

    Dominic Schlueter

    The Next Jakob Ingebrigtsen—But Better? How 16-Year-Old Sam Ruthe Did the Unthinkable & Keeps Setting Records

    The Next Jakob Ingebrigtsen—But Better? How 16-Year-Old Sam Ruthe Did the Unthinkable & Keeps Setting Records

    January 17, 2026
    34m

    Athletes Mentioned

    Is Sam Ruthe the most exciting teenage runner in the world right now? 


    He may be, and when you look at the numbers, your jaw will drop. He is a New Zealand prodigy who became the youngest person in the world to break the four-minute mile barrier, at the ripe old age of 15 in March of 2025 (he ran a 3:58.35). For reference, Jakob Ingebrigtsen did it at 16.


    In December of 2025, He set a New Zealand under-20 record in his 5000m debut, running 13:40.48. He also won the New Zealand senior men’s 3000m national championship with a time of 7:56.18, in the process becoming the youngest men’schampion in New Zealand athletics history. 


    It doesn’t stop there: he ran a 1500m PR of 3:39.17 in July, lowering his own national under-17 and under-18 1500m records. The went and smashed it again in the 800 and 1500m, with times of 1:46.81 and 3:38.62. 


    Recently, in January, he set an all-time world best for a 16 year old in the 1000m with a time of 2:17.82.


    He’s got world best times at 1000m, national records across distances, and a sub-4-minute mile before age 16. This isn’tjust hype, it’s history. Sam Ruthe is here to break it all down. 


    Tap into the Sam Ruthe Special.


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    Athletes Mentioned

    Ja
    Jakob Ingebrigtsen