Fifteen-year-old Sam Ruthe becomes youngest athlete to run sub-four-minute mile

15-year-old New Zealand athlete Sam Ruthe became the youngest person ever to run a sub-four-minute mile on Wednesday.

Ruthe crossed the line in Auckland with a time of 3:58.35, finishing just behind pacemaker and two-time Olympian Sam Tanner. Ben Wall, also pacing the race, also finished within four minutes.

Ruthe achieved the feat 24 days before his 16th birthday, breaking the record previously held by two-time Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen when he was 16, per New Zealand Athletics. The Norwegian ran a time of 3:58.07.

The sub-four minute mile has been a benchmark for athletes since Britain’s Roger Bannister first achieved the feat in 1954.

“This was probably my favourite goal that I’ve reached,” said Ruthe, via Reuters. “I’ve definitely enjoyed this one the most, with all the people here supporting me.

“This has been the most set up for me, so I’m really happy to have gotten this one.”

The 2009-born athlete calmly shrugged as he crossed the finish line while Tanner celebrated alongside him.

Ruthe comfortably bested his previous record of 4:01.72 that he set at the Cooks Classic in the New Zealand of Whanganui in January.

He became the youngest-ever senior male national champion in any event by winning the 3000m at the New Zealand Track and Field Championships earlier this month.

(Phil Walter/Getty Images)