I don't know the answer but:
Where did the distance of 1650 yds come from?
I know it is close to 1 mile but why wasn't a rounder number like 1600 or 1700 chosen?:confused:
My guess is it's the closest yards equivalent to 1500 meters (1508.76 m, actually).
Of course, now the question is where did 1500 meters come from. I don't know the answer to that :)
Former Member
I have wondered about this myself. At my Y they say 72 laps is a mile which would come out to be 1800 yrds. I have to say I don't know my math to well and I don't know how many yard actually make a mile. Anyone know?
Originally posted by mattson
After Hackett retires, maybe someone can push for the race to become 1600. :D
Why after he retires? Do it now and give him a chance at another world record! :)
I'd say it is better to go metric, than to stick with "miles". Just because there used to be 33 1/3 yard races, shouldn't mean that we must carry that albatross on our shoulders.
1600m actually makes more sense, as a power of two. The races are 50-100-200-400-800-????. After Hackett retires, maybe someone can push for the race to become 1600. :D
Former Member
You're right, 1650 yards is almost 1500 meters.
Also, Kirk, to answer your question, 1500 meters is commonly called the metric mile.
In case you want the actual distances:
1500 meters = 1640.42 yards
1500 meters = .93 miles
so
1 mile = 1609.34 meters
Why not swim 1600 meters, and call that the metric mile, since it technically is? I have no idea.
