I get that 5k and 10k sound like nice even distances, so sure: start them wherever you need to on the track… but changing what should logically and progressively be 4-lap and 8-lap races into 3.75- and 7.5-lap races just feels arbitrary.
Looking for something better than “that’s just the way it’s been done since 1896” (I actually think that date is right, but besides the point…)
IMO, at the professional level (even for some HS fields) the pace for a 1600 is too fast to start on a turn. The athletes need the straightaway to settle into position.
IMO, at the professional level (even for some HS fields) the pace for a 1600 is too fast to start on a turn. The athletes need the straightaway to settle into position.
The 800(hs) and 3000 are fine to start on a curve, though…
If you think the 1600 and 3200 are preferable we might as well simply go back to the imperial distances - the mile and 2 miles. To hell with the Continentals and their metric measures for everything. I'm not interested in how many centimetres high anyone is. Feet and inches, thanks.
If you think the 1600 and 3200 are preferable we might as well simply go back to the imperial distances - the mile and 2 miles. To hell with the Continentals and their metric measures for everything. I'm not interested in how many centimetres high anyone is. Feet and inches, thanks.
Solution: Simply just redefine a mile to be 1600 meters
I ultimately agree with OP. I have always despised the 1500m distance. The 3k is alright, in my opinion, since it starts the same spot where the 5k does but I'd still prefer a 2 mile. (plus 3k is an even 15 laps indoors if that means anything)
I think mile, 2mile, 5k, 10k are a perfect lineup of distance races. The 2mile can be a 3k if necessary. But by no means should there be some stupid ass 3.75 lap distance. Irks me like crazy
If you want the general public and new track fans to understand the sport more, then the 1500 has to go. The 1500 is an awkward distance to even metric users. Most countries worldwide have always understood and respect the prestige of a 4:00 minute mile and under.
Hell, the first person to break 4:00 in the mile wasn't even an American!
IMO, at the professional level (even for some HS fields) the pace for a 1600 is too fast to start on a turn. The athletes need the straightaway to settle into position.
The 800(hs) and 3000 are fine to start on a curve, though…
I have to disagree with the waterfall 800m though. All 800s should start in lanes. I see kids get trampled all the time because meet officials are lazy and just cram everyone into a waterfall 800 heat of like 16 kids. Crazy
I made a thread on this very subject like over a year ago lol
This has always been a pet peeve of mine. Why is the 800 ran in a waterfall?? They used to do it in lanes, but until around 2012 or 2013, they randomly switched to waterfall as if it were a 1600/3200I think it's quite dumb. T...
I get that 5k and 10k sound like nice even distances, so sure: start them wherever you need to on the track… but changing what should logically and progressively be 4-lap and 8-lap races into 3.75- and 7.5-lap races just feels arbitrary.
Looking for something better than “that’s just the way it’s been done since 1896” (I actually think that date is right, but besides the point…)
Happy Friday!
Convince me why there shouldn’t be 2718.28 and 3141.59 m races. They are the ultimate, transcendental even as some might say.