A meeting with New Zealand running royalty has Sam Tanner primed to break one of the country's most prestigious athletics records.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Tanner produced one of Aotearoa's top moments of last year's Commonwealth Games when he became the "happiest sixth-place getter ever" by slashing more than three seconds off his personal best in the 1500m final.
Six months later, the 22-year-old surfer-come-runner from Pāpāmoa is making waves again.
Tanner has twice lowered his PB in the mile in the past three weeks, becoming the country's third fastest ever over the famous distances after shaving almost two seconds off his best at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston last weekend.
Despite clocking 3:52.85 to be behind only Sir John Walker and Nick Willis on New Zealand's all-time list, the Tauranga Ramblers runners isn't satisfied yet.
"I wanted to run faster than that actually.
"My goal for this trip is to run sub 3.50 and get as close to Walker's national outdoor record [as possible]. That would be the ultimate goal....
"I'm super happy [but] at the same time I'm still not the best in the world yet. Once I get there or get an Olympic medal maybe my mindset will change a bit ... I know I've got more in the tank."
Outside of the obvious, there is a reason Tanner is so motivated to chase down the 3:49.08 Walker achieved in Oslo 41 years ago.
John Walker on his way to gold in the 1500m at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Photo: Photosport
In the wake of his impressive Commonwealth Games performance, the rising star got a chance to meet and spend time with the 1976 Montreal Olympics 1500m gold medallist.
A meeting that further fuelled Tanner's desire to better the long-standing national mile record.
"I'd really like to break it while he's alive, I think he'd get enjoyment out of seeing it broken.
"Nick (Willis) missed that opportunity and I see myself as the next person to give the record a crack while [Walker] is still alive. That would be a really big honour to be able to do that."
It isn't the only New Zealand record in Tanner's crosshairs.
The 3:31.34 he ran in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 1500m final took him past the likes of Walker and Rod Dixon into second on that all-time list.
Willis' top mark of 3:29.66 is considerably faster again but, while not in a rush, Tanner feels he's not that far away.
"It's just a case of what race you get into it that could set you up perfectly for it...
"If it comes this year, that'd be cool but if it's next year it will be just as cool. I've got plenty of years left in my career, I hope, and I'm not looking to fast track things for the sake of records, at this stage."
Nick Willis crosses the line third at the Beijing Olympics. Photo: Photosport
Regardless, Tanner is not afraid to say he's ready for more success on the world stage.
More appearances at Diamond League meets are on the cards, while he firmly believes he's capable of a medal at this year's world Championships and is "dead-set" on getting one at next year's Paris Olympics.
But a national record or two along the way would be nice, as well.
And with an in-form Tanner part of a stacked field for Sunday's famous Wanamaker Mile in New York, he isn't ruling anything out.
"I know a couple guys are wanting to run really fast, and me not being the only one wanting to run really fast is also a good indicator that it will be fast.
"Guys are going to jump on the pacer. I'm just have to jump in the train and relax. I'm excited to see what my body is capable of doing right now.
"I definitely encourage everyone to tune in ... it could be a special race."
Sunday's Wanamaker Mile at the Millrose Games is set to start at 11.51am NZ time, with Tanner's countryman Geordie Beamish defending his Millrose title in the 3000m at 11am.
- RNZ
