14-Year-Old Daisy Ruthe Wins New Zealand U20 3000m Race

While her 16-year-old brother Sam captures headlines as New Zealand's fastest miler ever, 14-year-old Daisy Ruthe just proved she's ready for her own spotlight.

Daisy won the New Zealand women's under-20 3000m race at the Porritt Classic in Hamilton on Saturday, finishing in 9:46.56. She wasn't just the youngest competitor in the race—she dominated it, leaving older runners behind as she crossed the finish line.

"You're kidding me, you have got to be kidding me," one commentator exclaimed as the teenager from Ōtūmoetai College in Tauranga powered through the final stretch. The student, representing Athletics Tauranga, competed against athletes up to six years older.

The victory comes just two weeks after her brother Sam set the New Zealand indoor mile record in Boston with a time of 3:49.77. While Sam has made international waves, Daisy's win signals that extraordinary running talent flows through the entire Ruthe family.

Another 14-year-old also made waves at the same event. Jacob Williams from Lower Hutt won the men's under-20 3000m race in 8:44.55, proving Saturday belonged to New Zealand's youngest distance runners.

Sunny's Take

What makes this story special isn't just one talented sibling—it's watching two young people push each other to greatness. Sam's success clearly hasn't overshadowed Daisy; if anything, it seems to have inspired her to chase her own records. Their parents must be running out of space on the mantle for trophies.

The Ruthe siblings show that healthy competition and mutual support can coexist beautifully. While Sam continues racing internationally, Daisy is building her own legacy at home, one race at a time.

New Zealand's future in middle-distance running looks brighter than ever with both Ruthes leading the charge.