Smee sets sizzling pace

Young Tasmanian runner racking up records and titles at stunning rate

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TASMANIAN runner Ruby Smee has rewritten the state’s record books and made waves locally and at a national level since returning home from the US last year.

Smee, 20, is on a running scholarship at the University of San Francisco, but is back in Tasmania and studying online due to

She set three new state under-20 women’s records, for the mile, 3000m, and 5000m, before moving to the open ranks after turning 20 in December.

Since then, she has lowered her 3000m time to 9.05.69, which is the third fastest ever by a Tasmanian female behind the COVID-19 pandemic. former Olympians Kylie Risk and Donna MacFarlane.

She also won the Tasmanian 10km road title, held as part of the Launceston Running Festival in December, was the first Tasmanian woman home in the Hobart Run The Bridge in a time of 33.30, finished ninth at the national 5000m championships in Sydeny in March, and won both the 800m and 1500m at the 2021 state track and field championships in Launceston.

Last week, Smee finished second in the women’s 3000m at the Box Hill Classic, and is currently ranked third in Australia over 3000m.

She said she had been running since the age of five, and while she consistent growing up, she was never a standout.

“I think I just progressed at a sustainable rate, I was never winning at nationals or anything, but I was always there, I’d always show up, and I think now that I’m a young adult I’m stronger and it’s just good to be running PBs,” Smee said.

She said the 5000m was her pet event. “I’d say the sweet spot is the 5km for me, but it’s fun to drop down to the 800m, and as I get older I’ll probably do more 10kms, but I’m just starting to get into the longer stuff,” she said.

Smee said she enjoyed reconnecting with the Tasmanian running community at events like Run The Bridge, and has her sights set on the City to Casino next month.

Smee began her American scholarship in 2019.