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Sam Tanner is all set to make his seasonal debut on Saturday running 5000m at the Daikin Night of 5s. Steve Landells chat to the middle-distance star about his hopes for this weekend and his reflections on an unforgettable 2022.

For sheer unadulterated joy has there been a moment to match the reaction of Sam Tanner crossing the finish line sixth in the Commonwealth Games 1500m final with a huge new PB of 3:31.34?

Describing himself as “the happiest sixth-place getter ever” – the performance catapulted the Athletics Tauranga athlete to second on the all-time New Zealand 1500m lists behind Nick Willis –and set his career on a different course.

So how often does Sam think about that race in Birmingham?

“When I wake up, I sometimes can’t believe I run for a job and that I’ve just finished my first season as a pro,” explains Sam, who is happy to conduct the interview via phone while out on a steady 90-minute training run! “Comm Games and then to run Diamond Leagues in Lausanne and Monaco was special, so I reflect on Birmingham quite a lot.”

Yet Sam has always been much more than a runner. A keen surfer and angler, the national 1500m champion has always had much more in his life then running and recently he was appointed the Athletics NZ Balance is Better Champion with Sport NZ – where his balanced approach to life is recognised as a huge positive – a fact reflected in his general philosophy.

“I have a privileged life as a runner, but I’m learning to be active and doing good in the community in whatever way I can. I’ve gone to my former high school – Bethlehem College – and my old primary school and helped run school athletics days. The kids are stoked to see in me the possibility that athletics can be a career. I’ve also spoken about the importance of perseverance at a law firm, it has been nice to incorporate those things into my life as a professional athlete.”

Following his Birmingham breakthrough he describes his experiences at the Monaco Diamond League – where he was a pacemaker in a 3000m world record attempt – and in Lausanne – where he finished 8^th in 3:33.67 in the second fastest 1500m time of his career – as “breathtaking.” 

“It was such an honour to pace a world record attempt and also put my hat in the ring with the big dogs in Lausanne.” He spent time with his wife, Melissa, in Monaco and after a dip in Lake Geneva the day after his race in Lausanne he headed home a different athlete.

Back in New Zealand, his coach, Craig Kirkwood, gave Sam six days’ rest surfing before the athlete returned to training, where he has stepped up his mileage from around 100km to 130km a week. His body has responded well to the extra workload – which now includes runs of up to around one hour and 45 minutes – and Sam is feeling the benefit.

“Running 130km a week has been crazy awesome,” explains the Puma sponsored athlete. “I’ve really noticed the strength gains. Adding that extra 30km or so a week has changed the game.”

Training partner to Olympic triathlon bronze medallist Hayden Wilde has also acted as an inspiration to Sam. Due to Hayden’s triathlon commitments, the three-time senior men’s national 5000m champion has not been available to train alongside as much as Sam has liked, but he hopes the pair will train more regularly next year.

“I’ve always said Hayden is the most dedicated person I know, far above my own level,” explains Sam. “He is so dedicated, and he inspires me to love my sport. He makes the most of every session and every minute of every day and he drives and encourages me to do the same.

“Next year because I already have the World (Championships) auto standard means I have more flexibility where I can base myself, so I might train with Hayden in Europe. I’m super excited because we are such great training partners.”

Sam has chosen an outing over 5000m at the Daikin Night of 5s for his first competitive appearance of the summer. Having completed only one 12-and-a-half lap race on the track in the past – a 14:17.80 effort in Tauranga 12 months ago – his PB is surely set for some revision but what are his aims for Saturday at AUT Millennium?

“I see Night of 5s as a bit of an opportunity to test out my fitness and to run a fast time,” he says. “Eric Speakman is a pacemaker and he’s in good shape. I’ve asked him to run through 3km in eight minutes. I have no specific time goal in mind, but I’d like to run as fast as possible.”

Into the new year and Sam is targeting the New Zealand Mile Championships in Whanganui (28 Jan) before he competes indoors at the historic Millrose Games in New York and at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston before returning home to compete at the Jennian Homes New Zealand Track & Field Championships in Wellington.

For the Northern Hemisphere summer, he hopes to experience once again the Diamond League circuit before targeting his main goal for the year – the World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

Yet before 2023 we need to take one final reflection with Sam on his epic 2022.

“It has opened so many doors for me,” he explains. “It has given me so many opportunities in terms of sponsorship, race entries, even to the extent I got to meet Sir John Walker (the 1976 Olympic 1500m champion and New Zealand mile record-holder) “He was super encouraging. It was awesome to meet him and hear some of his running wisdom.”

The 2022 Daikin Night of 5s will be livestreamed on Saturday 17 December here