Does the mile race still exist in competitive running or has it been replaced exclusively by the 1,500 meters?

Question

Probably due to its historical origins (rather than being an arbitrary distance), the marathon remains 26 miles 385 yards while everything else has become 400 meters, 800 meters, etc. But I'm not sure about the mile.

Answer 1

Yes, the mile still exists.  The current world record is 3:43.13 set by Hicham El Guerrouj on July 7, 1999.

However, it is not listed in the 2008 USA Olympic Trials event schedule.

Answer 2

It is still competed in some meets, but the international race is now the 1500.  If you look at the records, the 1600 records are not nearly as impressive at the 1500 (when you convert them).  The 1500 is what is competed at the Olympics and World Championships, so that is what the top runners focus on.

I prefer the 4 full laps of the 1600, but they didn't really ask my vote.

Answer 3

The mile is the only yardage race still listed as a record event.

It is run at some meets, but it is not a part of IAAF or Olympic competition.

When the changes were made to run only meters the voters felt the historic value merited keeping the mile as a world record event.