1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:13,147 Speaker 1: from Newstalk ZEDB two. 3 00:00:12,987 --> 00:00:16,307 Speaker 2: More records for Kwei teenage running star Sam Ruth. Yesterday, 4 00:00:16,347 --> 00:00:19,747 Speaker 2: he clocked three minutes thirty eight point six two seconds 5 00:00:20,107 --> 00:00:22,787 Speaker 2: in the heats of the boys fifteen hundred meters at 6 00:00:22,787 --> 00:00:25,627 Speaker 2: the National Secondary School Track and Field Champs and Hastings 7 00:00:25,667 --> 00:00:28,267 Speaker 2: to break a thirty six year old record in the event. 8 00:00:28,307 --> 00:00:32,227 Speaker 2: In fact, he obliterated the mark set by Richard Potts 9 00:00:32,307 --> 00:00:35,747 Speaker 2: in nineteen eighty nine by more than eight seconds. That 10 00:00:35,947 --> 00:00:39,787 Speaker 2: was yesterday. Earlier today, he also broke the national eight 11 00:00:39,867 --> 00:00:43,067 Speaker 2: hundred meter record, clocking one forty six point eighty one 12 00:00:43,107 --> 00:00:45,907 Speaker 2: to beat the previous mark set by Ben Mathis in 13 00:00:45,987 --> 00:00:49,787 Speaker 2: twenty eleven by three point six seconds. In March, at 14 00:00:49,787 --> 00:00:52,187 Speaker 2: the age of fifteen, Sam Ruth became the youngest person 15 00:00:52,267 --> 00:00:55,787 Speaker 2: ever to run a sub four minute mile. In the 16 00:00:55,827 --> 00:00:58,267 Speaker 2: last hour or so, he has run and comfortably won 17 00:00:58,347 --> 00:01:01,627 Speaker 2: the final of the fifteen hundred meters Dad Ben Ruth, 18 00:01:01,707 --> 00:01:05,027 Speaker 2: himself an elite middle distance runner, is with us now 19 00:01:05,187 --> 00:01:08,947 Speaker 2: Ben how Big a target worthy fifteen hundred and eight 20 00:01:08,987 --> 00:01:11,587 Speaker 2: hundred meters records for Sam This weekend. 21 00:01:13,507 --> 00:01:14,747 Speaker 3: I had been thinking about them. I guess for a 22 00:01:14,747 --> 00:01:17,387 Speaker 3: little bit since heron's a fourth mile to talk about 23 00:01:17,427 --> 00:01:20,107 Speaker 3: him having a crack at Richard's record. And Richards just 24 00:01:20,507 --> 00:01:24,387 Speaker 3: an incredible guy. He comes from his His mother actually 25 00:01:24,427 --> 00:01:26,547 Speaker 3: ran at the Comonwealth Games in the final in nineteen 26 00:01:26,667 --> 00:01:31,467 Speaker 3: seventy with Sam's grandmother. Rosemary won that final in a 27 00:01:31,587 --> 00:01:36,347 Speaker 3: very tight finish and Sylvia Pops came fifth in that final. 28 00:01:36,467 --> 00:01:39,107 Speaker 3: So there's a little bit bit of family history there, 29 00:01:39,147 --> 00:01:42,947 Speaker 3: I guess. And Richard who's given his life and time 30 00:01:42,987 --> 00:01:45,667 Speaker 3: to the sport, making it grow here it's his home 31 00:01:45,707 --> 00:01:48,667 Speaker 3: track in Hastings and he was standing holding the watch 32 00:01:48,707 --> 00:01:52,147 Speaker 3: calling the splits each lap, knowing that it was ticking down. 33 00:01:52,267 --> 00:01:56,267 Speaker 3: So just an incredible guy and just an incredible thought 34 00:01:56,547 --> 00:01:58,267 Speaker 3: of the ethnic communities like his parents were too. So 35 00:01:58,307 --> 00:01:59,067 Speaker 3: that was a special moment. 36 00:01:59,147 --> 00:02:01,227 Speaker 2: Oh, I bet it was. What a great little layer 37 00:02:01,307 --> 00:02:03,827 Speaker 2: to it. But as I say, it wasn't just a 38 00:02:03,827 --> 00:02:07,267 Speaker 2: matter of half a second or a second eight seconds 39 00:02:07,347 --> 00:02:10,307 Speaker 2: off the mark set by Richard pottsback in nineteen eighty nine. 40 00:02:10,787 --> 00:02:15,947 Speaker 2: Did you believe that that Sam had that time in him? 41 00:02:16,827 --> 00:02:17,027 Speaker 1: No? 42 00:02:18,107 --> 00:02:24,107 Speaker 3: I had that Richard Pox time. I ran national secondary 43 00:02:24,107 --> 00:02:27,107 Speaker 3: schools in middles in the fifteen hundred and nineteen ninety seven, 44 00:02:27,147 --> 00:02:29,147 Speaker 3: and at the time that record was eight years old, 45 00:02:29,227 --> 00:02:31,627 Speaker 3: and we thought that the clocks must have been broken 46 00:02:31,627 --> 00:02:33,507 Speaker 3: in the nineteen eighties. Minus could have ran that time 47 00:02:34,627 --> 00:02:36,987 Speaker 3: because it was so outrageous and nobody's got under three 48 00:02:37,027 --> 00:02:39,347 Speaker 3: to fifty. I don't think it got within three seconds 49 00:02:39,387 --> 00:02:43,787 Speaker 3: of it in thirty six years so and certainly not solo. 50 00:02:44,067 --> 00:02:45,707 Speaker 3: So he decided he'd do it in the heats, which 51 00:02:45,707 --> 00:02:47,067 Speaker 3: would take all the pressure off the final. And then 52 00:02:47,107 --> 00:02:48,947 Speaker 3: also today he's got the eight hundred final, the fifteen 53 00:02:48,987 --> 00:02:50,987 Speaker 3: hundred final and he's still got four four hundred meters ago, 54 00:02:51,467 --> 00:02:54,507 Speaker 3: so doing it doing it yesterday I meant that he's 55 00:02:54,547 --> 00:02:55,787 Speaker 3: gonna be a bit fresher for his team in the 56 00:02:55,787 --> 00:02:57,987 Speaker 3: four by four this afternoon. So no, I didn't think 57 00:02:57,987 --> 00:02:59,387 Speaker 3: he was going to run that. He was actually only 58 00:02:59,587 --> 00:03:02,547 Speaker 3: he got the New Zealand he's got ten is under 59 00:03:02,587 --> 00:03:05,107 Speaker 3: twenty New Zealand's fifteen hundred meter record at the same time, 60 00:03:05,267 --> 00:03:07,747 Speaker 3: and Hem missed out in the world's fastest time for 61 00:03:08,107 --> 00:03:10,987 Speaker 3: a sixteen year old five point six of a second 62 00:03:11,027 --> 00:03:14,467 Speaker 3: by cam Myers and that was so he's going to 63 00:03:14,507 --> 00:03:16,067 Speaker 3: have a crack at that obviously better in the season 64 00:03:16,067 --> 00:03:18,747 Speaker 3: when he've actually a race of pacemakers and in the 65 00:03:18,787 --> 00:03:20,147 Speaker 3: evening with better conditions, et cetera. 66 00:03:20,827 --> 00:03:24,107 Speaker 2: How do his times that he's running at the moment compare, 67 00:03:24,227 --> 00:03:27,187 Speaker 2: if you know, with what our great middle distance runners 68 00:03:27,547 --> 00:03:30,427 Speaker 2: Peter Snow, John Walker, Rod Dix and Nick Willis, we're 69 00:03:30,507 --> 00:03:33,427 Speaker 2: running at a similar age, you see, faster than they were. 70 00:03:34,787 --> 00:03:37,507 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, he's faster than they were at the same age, definitely. 71 00:03:37,547 --> 00:03:41,467 Speaker 3: But to give you some comparison, it is Ain't had 72 00:03:41,467 --> 00:03:45,387 Speaker 3: a meter time today of one minute forty six. Sam 73 00:03:45,427 --> 00:03:47,747 Speaker 3: Tanner's fastest than his life is one minute forty six. 74 00:03:48,107 --> 00:03:50,507 Speaker 3: Nick rillis as fast and his life was. Just before 75 00:03:50,547 --> 00:03:54,267 Speaker 3: the two thousand and four Olympics he ran one forty five. 76 00:03:54,787 --> 00:03:57,147 Speaker 3: John Walker was the one forty five runner in his career, 77 00:03:57,427 --> 00:04:01,427 Speaker 3: So running one fifth forty six as a school kitters 78 00:04:01,427 --> 00:04:04,467 Speaker 3: not very common. And I think it's twelve all time 79 00:04:04,507 --> 00:04:08,067 Speaker 3: from New Zealand the time that here today and I 80 00:04:08,147 --> 00:04:11,387 Speaker 3: think that's fifteen hundred. Yeah, I'm not sure actually where 81 00:04:11,387 --> 00:04:14,507 Speaker 3: that ranks, but yeah, maybe inside the top top twenty 82 00:04:14,507 --> 00:04:15,027 Speaker 3: old times. 83 00:04:15,507 --> 00:04:18,867 Speaker 2: When you're watching him, can you watch purely as a 84 00:04:18,907 --> 00:04:23,187 Speaker 2: proud dad, or are you constantly analyzing how he's running. 85 00:04:25,427 --> 00:04:27,427 Speaker 3: I don't coach him at all, so we have quite 86 00:04:27,427 --> 00:04:30,787 Speaker 3: a clear Craig Kirk quit as coach. And Craig develops 87 00:04:30,787 --> 00:04:34,427 Speaker 3: Hayden to Hadden wild to Olympic medals obviously, and he 88 00:04:34,507 --> 00:04:37,347 Speaker 3: developed Sam Tanner to be one of the best athletes 89 00:04:37,387 --> 00:04:40,947 Speaker 3: on the planet. So Craig does all of the coaching. 90 00:04:40,947 --> 00:04:44,307 Speaker 3: I'm great mates, Craig, but I don't feel like I'm 91 00:04:44,547 --> 00:04:46,387 Speaker 3: watching him as a dad. I'm watching him as a fan, really, 92 00:04:46,427 --> 00:04:48,427 Speaker 3: and I just I just enjoy it. I just enjoyed 93 00:04:48,427 --> 00:04:50,427 Speaker 3: that he's bold. And the same with my daughter running today, 94 00:04:50,467 --> 00:04:53,907 Speaker 3: she just had a crack and yeah, it's just I 95 00:04:53,947 --> 00:04:56,827 Speaker 3: just enjoyed watching her and going along for the ride. Really. 96 00:04:57,187 --> 00:05:00,467 Speaker 2: Yeah, your daughter, Daisy, he's Sam's sister, has also won today. 97 00:05:00,547 --> 00:05:02,507 Speaker 2: She won the under sixteen fifteen hundred meters design on 98 00:05:02,587 --> 00:05:04,747 Speaker 2: the standards a year nine, so you're another one in 99 00:05:04,787 --> 00:05:05,227 Speaker 2: the family. 100 00:05:06,547 --> 00:05:08,867 Speaker 3: So Sam when he was a year nine, came second. 101 00:05:08,987 --> 00:05:10,347 Speaker 3: So Daisy was pretty. 102 00:05:10,067 --> 00:05:12,627 Speaker 2: Cooked to something again awesome, awesome. 103 00:05:12,347 --> 00:05:15,707 Speaker 3: Something and running that Sam hadn't done. And in a 104 00:05:15,827 --> 00:05:19,427 Speaker 3: crawl twist of fate, I made the National Fingery school's 105 00:05:19,427 --> 00:05:22,547 Speaker 3: final as an under sixteen and year nine, and I 106 00:05:22,547 --> 00:05:24,107 Speaker 3: was stoked with my time around a PB of four 107 00:05:24,187 --> 00:05:30,227 Speaker 3: thirty two and Daisy today around four thirty one. Their 108 00:05:30,307 --> 00:05:33,187 Speaker 3: records held by Tony Hodkinson out of four twenty nine. 109 00:05:33,547 --> 00:05:36,467 Speaker 3: Tony obviously run the Olympic final I think ninety ninety 110 00:05:36,507 --> 00:05:40,067 Speaker 3: six in Atlanta. Davey's got another year in the grade. 111 00:05:40,107 --> 00:05:42,907 Speaker 3: But yeah, he's doing really well. And she was bold 112 00:05:42,947 --> 00:05:46,787 Speaker 3: and had a crack from a long way out. I 113 00:05:46,867 --> 00:05:51,107 Speaker 3: was just pleasing to see them challenge themselves and be bold. 114 00:05:51,147 --> 00:05:54,307 Speaker 2: Really, Sam's feet's on the track are turning heads everywhere. 115 00:05:54,347 --> 00:05:55,987 Speaker 2: As I'm sure you've worked out, have you had to 116 00:05:56,067 --> 00:05:58,507 Speaker 2: keep his feet on the ground in any respect? 117 00:06:00,427 --> 00:06:04,467 Speaker 3: He's Sam's just I don't know. I don't know why, 118 00:06:04,507 --> 00:06:07,307 Speaker 3: but maybe it's a combination of I've jested myself. So 119 00:06:08,987 --> 00:06:10,427 Speaker 3: Jess is really good at all the things that I'm 120 00:06:10,467 --> 00:06:13,307 Speaker 3: not got at. I used to I relished the sport, 121 00:06:13,387 --> 00:06:14,907 Speaker 3: love the sport, and I always used to get carried 122 00:06:14,947 --> 00:06:18,227 Speaker 3: away and train too hard for as. She's really disciplined, focused, 123 00:06:18,267 --> 00:06:21,347 Speaker 3: follows the rules, make sure all the all the things 124 00:06:21,387 --> 00:06:22,987 Speaker 3: in the right place, and she puts all the r 125 00:06:23,067 --> 00:06:27,067 Speaker 3: energies into the right areas and somehow the kids has 126 00:06:27,107 --> 00:06:29,627 Speaker 3: sort of got the both of us and Fams just 127 00:06:30,947 --> 00:06:32,667 Speaker 3: he doesn't get carried away at all. It's just he 128 00:06:32,747 --> 00:06:36,187 Speaker 3: just enjoys it and disciplined and doesn't you wouldn't know 129 00:06:36,227 --> 00:06:38,907 Speaker 3: really that he broke the national records. He's just just 130 00:06:38,947 --> 00:06:41,587 Speaker 3: loves the sports and loves hanging out with his mates 131 00:06:41,627 --> 00:06:43,347 Speaker 3: and they're all happy. And I think having Aboard with 132 00:06:43,427 --> 00:06:46,187 Speaker 3: College of won seven gold medals here on the track 133 00:06:46,227 --> 00:06:49,827 Speaker 3: out of I don't know how many, but they've all 134 00:06:49,827 --> 00:06:51,667 Speaker 3: done really really well. It's just a great culture and 135 00:06:51,747 --> 00:06:53,907 Speaker 3: environment and a group of group of boys that coming 136 00:06:53,947 --> 00:06:56,027 Speaker 3: boys College and Craig Kirkford has got going. 137 00:06:57,267 --> 00:06:59,707 Speaker 2: So what is the plan? Then over summer here and 138 00:06:59,747 --> 00:07:04,427 Speaker 2: then into twenty twenty six for Sam it's got. 139 00:07:04,427 --> 00:07:06,547 Speaker 3: Quite a lot coming up, so too many times going 140 00:07:06,587 --> 00:07:09,147 Speaker 3: to five to Northland where there's an outside shot that 141 00:07:09,187 --> 00:07:11,547 Speaker 3: he's got a chance at Jack Finger Britain's five thousand 142 00:07:11,587 --> 00:07:14,307 Speaker 3: meter world record for sixteen year old to thirteen thirty five. 143 00:07:14,347 --> 00:07:18,147 Speaker 3: He's never run a five thousand meter race, but his 144 00:07:18,307 --> 00:07:21,027 Speaker 3: strength seems to be quite quite good at the moment. 145 00:07:21,747 --> 00:07:25,587 Speaker 3: I think there's only three three current New Zealand ethicts 146 00:07:25,587 --> 00:07:27,587 Speaker 3: that have run a certain thirty five and one forty six, 147 00:07:27,587 --> 00:07:30,307 Speaker 3: and that's Sam Tanner, Nicholas and John Walker. So if 148 00:07:30,347 --> 00:07:32,467 Speaker 3: he could pull that off in two week space, that 149 00:07:32,467 --> 00:07:34,347 Speaker 3: it'll be that would be pretty called. Then he's got 150 00:07:34,427 --> 00:07:36,547 Speaker 3: crack at the one k national age. Great record in 151 00:07:36,947 --> 00:07:39,627 Speaker 3: January in Targo. Then, so we popped back here in 152 00:07:39,667 --> 00:07:42,827 Speaker 3: Hastings on the tenth, sorry, the seventeenth January. We're going 153 00:07:42,867 --> 00:07:45,467 Speaker 3: to be mile where the world records of the age 154 00:07:45,467 --> 00:07:47,267 Speaker 3: is three fifty five and Snow broke the world record 155 00:07:47,347 --> 00:07:49,507 Speaker 3: running a three fifty five and ten and one last 156 00:07:49,587 --> 00:07:50,947 Speaker 3: year and three fifty five, So it's going to be 157 00:07:51,067 --> 00:07:52,507 Speaker 3: it's gonna be a big, big crack. And we go 158 00:07:52,547 --> 00:07:54,307 Speaker 3: to the US for four weeks for indoor racing in 159 00:07:54,307 --> 00:07:55,387 Speaker 3: Boston and North Carolina. 160 00:07:55,827 --> 00:07:59,267 Speaker 2: Wonderful stuff, all all mapped out, mate, while I've got 161 00:07:59,267 --> 00:08:01,547 Speaker 2: your text has come through Piney good to hear the 162 00:08:01,587 --> 00:08:04,347 Speaker 2: progress young Sam Ruth is making. But the menchin of 163 00:08:04,347 --> 00:08:06,987 Speaker 2: his dad's name gives me PTSD. I was a rugby 164 00:08:06,987 --> 00:08:09,707 Speaker 2: playing runner fast enough to compete regionally at high school 165 00:08:09,707 --> 00:08:11,947 Speaker 2: in the fifteen hundred, but Ben was the king as 166 00:08:11,947 --> 00:08:15,547 Speaker 2: far as Wellington was concerned obliterated the field in ninety seven. 167 00:08:15,827 --> 00:08:18,267 Speaker 2: Awesome to get second place to the Wellington College road 168 00:08:18,347 --> 00:08:20,947 Speaker 2: running team back then, knowing how fast Ben was. That's 169 00:08:20,947 --> 00:08:23,227 Speaker 2: from a nine nine old boy who is now in 170 00:08:23,347 --> 00:08:26,947 Speaker 2: recovery that Tex says, so you're well remembered for your 171 00:08:26,947 --> 00:08:28,707 Speaker 2: feats back in the capital as. 172 00:08:28,587 --> 00:08:32,227 Speaker 3: Well, mate, Yeah, what do you say about that? It's 173 00:08:32,267 --> 00:08:35,587 Speaker 3: all just enjoyable, isn't it. Life challenging yourself and challenging others, 174 00:08:35,627 --> 00:08:37,987 Speaker 3: and hopefully you push yourself and they push you and 175 00:08:38,587 --> 00:08:40,507 Speaker 3: I hope you get a bit of fat. So it's 176 00:08:40,547 --> 00:08:41,987 Speaker 3: just I love the sport for a long time and 177 00:08:42,027 --> 00:08:43,587 Speaker 3: it's just a pleasure to be able to watch it 178 00:08:43,627 --> 00:08:44,547 Speaker 3: from the sidelines now. 179 00:08:44,707 --> 00:08:46,667 Speaker 2: Great stuff, Ben, thanks for chatting to us. Made always 180 00:08:46,667 --> 00:08:47,067 Speaker 2: a pleasure. 181 00:08:47,787 --> 00:08:49,747 Speaker 3: Brilliant thanks, funny thanks mate. 182 00:08:49,787 --> 00:08:52,387 Speaker 2: That is Ben ruth yea an elite runner in his day, 183 00:08:52,427 --> 00:08:55,347 Speaker 2: a terrific runner in his day. You know, Nick willis 184 00:08:55,467 --> 00:08:58,187 Speaker 2: kind of areas when he was in and around the 185 00:08:58,467 --> 00:09:01,107 Speaker 2: Wellington region at the same time. But yes, Sam and 186 00:09:01,147 --> 00:09:03,387 Speaker 2: now Daisy by the sounds of it as well. Another 187 00:09:03,427 --> 00:09:05,827 Speaker 2: one to keep an eye on. Great jeans in that family. 188 00:09:06,467 --> 00:09:09,627 Speaker 1: For more from Weekends Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live 189 00:09:09,707 --> 00:09:12,987 Speaker 1: to News Talk set B weekends from midday, or follow 190 00:09:13,027 --> 00:09:14,667 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio