Forums >Running 101>Kilometers vs Miles

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Kilometers vs Miles (Read 2000 times)

Sockoni


    posted: 3/6/2007 at 8:28 PM
    Why are races usually in kilometers vs miles? Is it because we're about the only ones not in the metric world and kilometers ARE the common measurement? Just curious.
    PerfesserR


      posted: 3/7/2007 at 8:36 AM
      Yep. Anywhere other than the USA everything is in kilometers. That "26" marker is not so welcome when it's 26 km Tongue

      "Able to function despite imminent catastrophe"

       

      "The most common question from potential entrants is 'I do not know if I can do this' to which I usually answer, 'that's the whole point'.--Paul Charteris, Tarawera Ultramarathon RD.

       

       "They just couldn't believe that somebody would do all that running for no reason."--Forrest Gump

       

      Boston Marathon 15 April

      Big Sur Marathon 28 April

      Bighorn 50 Mile 15 June

      Tahoe Rim Trail 100M 20/21 July

      mikeymike


        posted: 3/7/2007 at 9:25 AM
        I also think it has to do with road race distances--especially the ever-popular 5K and 10K--matching distances that are commonly raced on the track (5000m and 10000m) and tracks are pretty much all metric at this point, even in the US.

        Runners run.

        Trent


          posted: 3/7/2007 at 11:57 AM
          Simple, kilometers are shorter than miles. Why would you want to run a whole mile when you can run just a kilometer. Plus, when you run a fixed distance, it sounds better in kilometers than it does in miles. Why run 26.2 miles when you can run 42.2 kilometers?
          Sockoni


            posted: 3/7/2007 at 12:38 PM
            Quote from Trent on 3/7/2007 at 11:57 AM:
            Simple, kilometers are shorter than miles. Why would you want to run a whole mile when you can run just a kilometer.
            Right! Who would want to run a longer distance? I mean, really.
            Quote from Trent on 3/7/2007 at 11:57 AM:
            Plus, when you run a fixed distance, it sounds better in kilometers than it does in miles. Why run 26.2 miles when you can run 42.2 kilometers?
            Yes! Way more impressive! Wink
            Sockoni


              posted: 3/7/2007 at 12:41 PM
              Quote from mikeymike on 3/7/2007 at 9:25 AM:
              I also think it has to do with road race distances--especially the ever-popular 5K and 10K--matching distances that are commonly raced on the track (5000m and 10000m) and tracks are pretty much all metric at this point, even in the US.
              That would make sense!
              Sockoni


                posted: 3/7/2007 at 12:43 PM
                Quote from PerfesserR on 3/7/2007 at 8:36 AM:
                Yep. Anywhere other than the USA everything is in kilometers. That "26" marker is not so welcome when it's 26 km Tongue
                We're so behind! Even when I was in hs metrics were just coming to the forefront. Then in college, I was really screwed up! Smile
                RunningHammer


                  posted: 3/7/2007 at 2:05 PM
                  Quote from PerfesserR on 3/7/2007 at 8:36 AM:
                  Yep. Anywhere other than the USA everything is in kilometers. That "26" marker is not so welcome when it's 26 km Tongue
                  Nope - miles rule in the UK. Even though we're supposed to use metric like the rest of Europe.
                  jlynnbob


                  You'll ruin your knees!

                    posted: 3/7/2007 at 2:38 PM
                    modified: 3/7/2007 at 2:39 PM
                    So, a guy asked me the other day...are you in the company's 401K? And I said, are you KIDDING??? That's like...250 miles! Shocked

                    ""...the truth that someday, you will go for your last run. But not today—today you got to run." - Matt Crownover (after Western States)

                    Sockoni


                      posted: 3/7/2007 at 2:42 PM
                      Quote from jlynnbob on 3/7/2007 at 2:38 PM:
                      So, a guy asked me the other day...are you in the company's 401K? And I said, are you KIDDING??? That's like...250 miles! Shocked
                      ROTFLMBO!!!!!!!!!
                      PerfesserR


                        posted: 3/7/2007 at 3:26 PM
                        Quote from RunningHammer on 3/7/2007 at 2:05 PM:
                        Nope - miles rule in the UK. Even though we're supposed to use metric like the rest of Europe.
                        Really. I'm hoping to do the Loch Ness Marathon in October. BTW Honolulu had both miles and km, for the Japanese runners, I guess.

                        "Able to function despite imminent catastrophe"

                         

                        "The most common question from potential entrants is 'I do not know if I can do this' to which I usually answer, 'that's the whole point'.--Paul Charteris, Tarawera Ultramarathon RD.

                         

                         "They just couldn't believe that somebody would do all that running for no reason."--Forrest Gump

                         

                        Boston Marathon 15 April

                        Big Sur Marathon 28 April

                        Bighorn 50 Mile 15 June

                        Tahoe Rim Trail 100M 20/21 July

                        RunChicRun


                        madness baby

                          posted: 3/7/2007 at 9:35 PM
                          Quote from jlynnbob on 3/7/2007 at 2:38 PM:
                          So, a guy asked me the other day...are you in the company's 401K? And I said, are you KIDDING??? That's like...250 miles! Shocked
                          Big grin Big grin Big grin and of all people. . .
                          deb

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