Teenage middle distance sensation Sam Ruthe and Olympian Sam Tanner could not be separated in a photo finish after posting the exact same time in an epic men’s 1500m final at the New Zealand Track and Field Championships.
The two Waikato-Bay of Plenty teammates both stopped the clock at 3 minutes 44.31 seconds to be crowned joint national champions in the race of the meet at the Caledonian Ground in Dunedin on Sunday.
15-year-old Ruthe, the fastest runner in his age group in the world, showcased his enormous potential to catch reigning champion Tanner right on the finish line after the Paris Olympian went against his usual tactics. [...]
It took a few minutes for the officials to work out who had actually won before the pair, both coached by marathoner Craig Kirkwood, were confirmed as the first-ever joint New Zealand 1500m champions.
“I’m just glad he didn’t quite out-dip me,” a relieved Tanner said after the crazy conclusion. [...]
Ruthe created history last month as the youngest male to win a senior track and field title when he claimed victory in the 3000m. Now he’s done it again.
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As Tanner tired, Ruthe surged and the two runners dipped together at the finish.
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