The 2026 Battle for Boston is set for Sunday, February 22nd, bringing a slate of fast races to the track, including the highly anticipated Men's 3000m. The event begins at 8:30 p.m., featuring a deep field of athletes representing their countries, colleges, and professional sponsors. The top names set to toe the line are Sam Ruthe, Henry Mcluckie, Ernest Cheruiyot, and Matt Strangio. 

All eyes will be on Sam Ruthe, 16 year old phenom from New Zealand, represented by Nike. His focus thus far in the 2026 indoor season has been on the mile and the 800m, but will stretch his wings to the 3k this weekend. At the 2026 BU John Thomas Terrier Classic, the teenager took down the 44-year-old New Zealand record in the mile to run 3:48.88. 

Audiences can watch the Saucony Battle for Boston live on FloTrack on Sunday, February 22.

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• Watch: Exclusive Workout, 16-Year-Old Sam Ruthe Preps To Chase Another U18 World Record | Workout Wednesday
• Watch the Saucony Battle for Boston on FloTrack

The star has raced the 3000m just twice, posting a personal best time of 7:56.81 in February of 2025. Now, a year later, he's eager to see how much progress he's made in the event. 

The race will be paced to 7:40 by Ben MacMillan of the University of Washington and Samuel Idiens of Virginia Tech, setting the stage for Ruthe and the rest of the field to chase significant personal bests if everything falls into place.

The current U18 record has stood for 20 years, set by Brian Muange Musau of Kenya with a mark of 7:38.04, at the same track where Ruthe will step to the line. The pace will be set only two seconds shy of the record, but Ruthe has a history of surpassing expectations, so do not count him out. 

Take a look at a few of the names that will help chase new records:

Henry Mcluckie of Great Britain holds a silver and bronze medal from the 2026 and 2025 British Indoor Athletics Championships in the 3000m. His personal record dates from 2024 with a 7:47.18. 

Ernest Cheruiyot will race for his school, the University of Arkansas. The Kenya-born athlete set his personal best in the event at his University's track back in January (7:43.66). Previously at Texas Tech, Cheruiyot went on to place third in the 10k at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

Brooks Beasts TC athlete Matt Strangio will also be a fair competitor during the race. While competing at the University of Portland, Strangio went on to run 7:39.02 in the 3k his senior year. With a personal best already under the projected pace, Strangio looks primed for this race to take off.

2026 Saucony Battle for Boston Men's 3k Entries

• Sam Ruthe - Nike
• Henry Mcluckie - Great Britain
• Ernest Cheruiyot - Arkansas
• Matt Strangio - Brooks Beasts TC
• Brian Masai - Arkansas
• Bradley Giblin - Eastern Kentucky
• Evans Tanui - Arizona
• Parker Stokes - Brooks Beasts TC
• Jonas Price - Portland 
• Jean-Simon Desgagnes - New Balance
• Aaron Ahl - Canada

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