why is it a 1500 metres race, rather than 1600? (1 Viewer)

[andrew markworthy]

Dim question, and not v. seasonal, but does anyone know why athletics has a 1500 metres race rather than 1600? The latter is simpler to measure (just 4 times round the track) and also is closer to the distance of a mile (the non-metric middle distance race which it in effect supplanted).

 

[Denward]

Good question when you consider the other most common races are 100, 200, 400, and 800 meters.
Of course after 1500, I think it goes to 3000, 5000, 10000.
Go figure..