# How many times around a track to equal 1 mile? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 11, 2003, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-around-a-track-to-equal-1-mile/181155 "2003-06-11T17:19:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-around-a-track-to-equal-1-mile/181155/1 "2003-06-11T17:19:39Z")
I am going to start running. There is a school nearby with a track in the field and I was wondering, how many times around would equal a mile? I am assuming, of couse, that track size tends to be a certain standard… ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-around-a-track-to-equal-1-mile/181155/2 "2003-06-11T17:21:08Z")
A standard track is usually 1/4 of a mile. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-around-a-track-to-equal-1-mile/181155/3 "2003-06-11T17:40:42Z")
…Although newer, bigger tracks here in the U.S. are sometimes 400 meters. Four times around one of those would be a little longer. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-around-a-track-to-equal-1-mile/181155/4 "2003-06-11T17:41:02Z")
…Although newer, bigger tracks here in the U.S. are sometimes 400 meters. Four times around one of those would be a little longer than a mile. ---
**Author:** ![MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bb73d2/32.png) [@MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MC_Master_of_Ceremonies)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-around-a-track-to-equal-1-mile/181155/5 "2003-06-11T17:41:08Z")
An olympic track is 400m, there is 1603.44 metres in a mile So you have to run 4 times round the track and then another 3.44 metres. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-around-a-track-to-equal-1-mile/181155/6 "2003-06-11T17:42:23Z")
Not only do I err by double posting, I err in my math. My apologies. ---
**Author:** ![NYR407](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbe5ce/32.png) [@NYR407](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NYR407)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-around-a-track-to-equal-1-mile/181155/7 "2003-06-11T17:43:45Z")
I agree with **friedo** but it also matters which lane you run in, right? The inner lane would have to be a shorter distance around than the outer. So where is 1/4 mile measured from? The middle? How much of a difference between the inner most and outer most lanes? ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-around-a-track-to-equal-1-mile/181155/8 "2003-06-11T17:47:59Z")
The starting points are staggered to make up for that. ---
**Author:** ![NYR407](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbe5ce/32.png) [@NYR407](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NYR407)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-around-a-track-to-equal-1-mile/181155/9 "2003-06-11T17:48:19Z")
Ok even if some are slightly shorter than 1/4 mile. Where is the distance measured from? ---
**Author:** ![MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bb73d2/32.png) [@MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MC_Master_of_Ceremonies)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-around-a-track-to-equal-1-mile/181155/10 "2003-06-11T17:50:08Z")
As Ultrafilter said, the starting points are staggered and after IIRC the first bend (haven’t ran the 1500m since I was at school) you move into the inside lane. ---
**Author:** ![MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bb73d2/32.png) [@MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MC_Master_of_Ceremonies)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-around-a-track-to-equal-1-mile/181155/11 "2003-06-11T17:52:21Z")
The starting points for the 400m (where you have to keep your lane) are measured from the finishing line. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-around-a-track-to-equal-1-mile/181155/12 "2003-06-11T17:58:38Z")
Run around the inside lane of a standard H.S. track 4 times for each mile. ---
**Author:** ![hockeynut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c68b51/32.png) [@hockeynut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hockeynut)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-around-a-track-to-equal-1-mile/181155/13 "2003-06-11T19:49:49Z")
I usually switch lanes after each lap. It helps me keep track of my lap count. One lap, each lane, 1 through 6. One lap, each lane, 6 through 1. 12 total laps or 3 miles. I’ve never relly thought about it but considering the stagger, am I running significantly more than 3 miles? ---
**Author:** ![JillGat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-around-a-track-to-equal-1-mile/181155/14 "2003-06-11T21:13:36Z")
My mind wanders and I always lose track of how many laps I’ve run. I used to pick up a bunch of pebbles and drop one after each lap to keep track. Another way is to just measure out a mile on a bicycle with an odometer (it’s more accurate than a car odometer if it’s calibrated right and you can ride off road, on tracks, etc.). Then time yourself a few times to find out how long it takes you to run a mile. Then you can just time yourself and run anywhere and have a good estimate of how far you went. When I first started running, I found a two mile track around a golf course and jogged/walked it until I could make it all the way around without walking. It was a good goal and easier for me to cover the distance and not quit if it was one big lap instead of a lot of shorter ones. Good luck! Have fun. ---
**Author:** ![Race\_Bannon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Race\_Bannon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Race_Bannon)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-around-a-track-to-equal-1-mile/181155/15 "2003-06-11T22:00:55Z")
[Here is a good link](http://www.runnersworld.com/home/0,1300,2-51-54-2029,00.html) that has what you’re looking for. ---
**Author:** ![Race\_Bannon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Race\_Bannon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Race_Bannon)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-around-a-track-to-equal-1-mile/181155/16 "2003-06-11T22:06:21Z")
MC, from what I hear, there are 1609.344 meters to a mile. So, four times around plus 9.344 meters (about 10 yards). ---
**Author:** ![MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bb73d2/32.png) [@MC\_Master\_of\_Ceremonies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MC_Master_of_Ceremonies)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2003, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-around-a-track-to-equal-1-mile/181155/17 "2003-06-11T22:12:13Z")
You’re probably right bannon, it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve made atypo with a number today. ---
**Author:** ![SRVick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@SRVick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SRVick)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-around-a-track-to-equal-1-mile/181155/18 "2003-06-12T00:08:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Race Bannon \* > \*\*MC, from what I hear, there are 1609.344 meters to a mile. So, four times around plus 9.344 meters (about 10 yards). \*\* Correct, assuming the track was made in the Metric Era. Some tracks, btw, will have the mile stripe about 30 feet (the 9.344 meters) behind the finish line, so you would start there, cross the finish line, then run 4 laps. Depends on what events they run in your state, probably. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by hockeynut \* > \*\*I usually switch lanes after each lap. It helps me keep track of my lap count. One lap, each lane, 1 through 6. One lap, each lane, 6 through 1. 12 total laps or 3 miles. > > I’ve never relly thought about it but considering the stagger, am I running significantly more than 3 miles? \*\* Just look at the distance between the finish line and the start of the 400m dash, that is the extra you are running per lap. It adds up, but it’s not like you have really been running 3 and a half miles or anything. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-around-a-track-to-equal-1-mile/181155/19 "2003-06-12T14:50:03Z")
For some real fun, try sprinting once around the inside of a track. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Zagna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@El\_Zagna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Zagna)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2003, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-times-around-a-track-to-equal-1-mile/181155/20 "2003-06-12T16:09:08Z")
Most high school tracks in America are based on a quarter mile loop as measured from the _inside_ lane. It’s considered good etiquette to avoid the inside lane when training because that is where the majority of wear and tear happens and you want to save it for real competition. However, with the new synthetic tracks this may not be important anymore.