Sisters Gianna and Isla Rahmer are two of the country's top young runners

Gianna Rahmer’s torn.

Albuquerque’s young distance running phenom sort of likes the idea of having someone who looks up to her — following in her footsteps, so to speak.

And the idea of maybe having had a little something to do with pushing or inspiring that person to be great at running, too, makes the Eldorado High School sophomore-to-be proud.

On the other hand, there’s only so much patience a 15-year-old girl can have when that person looking up to her is her 12-year-old sister.

Isla Rahmer, that younger sister, set a USA Track & Field national record for sixth-graders in the mile last week in St. Louis with a time of 4:55.23 — not long before Gianna won her elite-level high school race in 4:43.24 at the Hoka Festival of Miles.

“I would hope I’ve helped her a little bit, you know?” Gianna Rahmer said of Isla. “I think it’s very fun to have ‘mini me’ sometimes, but then there’s sometimes when she steals all my clothes, and then it gets annoying.”

Oh, yeah. Sisters.

Truth is, the Rahmers, both atop their respective podiums last week in St. Louis, are nothing but supportive of one another when it comes to racing and training.

Both were longtime members of the Albuquerque Athletics Track club, where Isla, who just completed sixth grade at Hoover Middle School, still trains while Gianna now trains with her high school team.

Gianna, a year removed from being named the Journal’s Female Athlete of the Year in 2024 as an eighth-grader, has three national USA Track & Field titles to her credit — one in cross country and two in track, not to mention plenty of regional and state championships.

Isla, meanwhile, now has four USATF national titles — two in cross country and anoher two in track.

“I don’t know of anybody that’s ever been able to do that in the history of club track, at least in New Mexico — not in the last 27 years we’ve been doing our club team,” said Carl Brasher, coach of Albuquerque Athletics Track, of the run the Rahmer sisters have been on.

And through it all, Brasher says he sees two sisters who are not only supportive of each other, but of all their teammates.

“They really have always been supportive with their running,” said their father, Mike Rahmer. “But when we get in the car, they’re wanting to listen to different music or one wants to go to this restaurant (and) the other wants a different one. Yeah, that’s about as normal as you could possibly be.”

There is some common ground the girls occasionally find, and not just with running.

“We agree on ‘The Champion’ by Carrie Underwood,” one sister said of their favorite race-day song.

Right then, the other sister chimed in with...

“And ABBA!”

That brought on a proud reaction from dad.

“Yeah, baby!”

After all, having two confident, well-rounded daughters who are winning national titles and presenting themselves to the world with class is one thing.

But instilling in them a love for the Swedish rock group that brought us such classics as “Dancing Queen,” “Mama Mia” and “Take a Chance on Me,” well, that’s just good parenting.

On that front, Mike Rahmer insists he and wife, Nicole Rahmer, haven’t found some secret recipe. There is no magic pill that has helped raise a pair of elite runners who also happen to be good kids.

“We’re screwing it up just as much as we’re getting it right, probably just like every other parent,” he joked.

The girls, meanwhile, do think highly of one another, even if it’s not always natural for two sisters at that age to readily admit it.

“I admire how hard she works and how dedicated to running she is,” said Isla. “It’s super cool to see her thrive in such an amazing sport that she loves. And I just really admire how much heart and passion she has.”

Gianna, this time following in Isla’s footsteps, was up next with the sibling praise.

“I admire how unserious she is sometimes before races,” Gianna said, bringing a sort of “Oh, thanks a lot” reaction from Isla.

“No, like you’ll be out there talking to the girls, having fun, making friends and and enjoying it all — not forgetting you’re running, but realizing that the running community is so amazing. And you’re out there getting closer with all the other girls that you’re racing against.”

Whatever they’re doing, it’s working.

Each is done with races for the summer. Isla still plays soccer, as Gianna used to, but now older sister focuses on cross country in the fall.

Both now have a little time to rest their bodies and their minds.

And for Gianna, who sees younger sister getting better and better with every race, the summer might give her some time to contemplate whether this whole supportive role-model thing has been working a little too well.

“Yeah, I’m going to catch you,” Isla said with the familiar instigating tone of a younger sibling.