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 :)
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
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.
