I agree with what you are saying. In 1976 the International Track and Field Association abolished all distances in non-metric units. Those who had records in these distances had to get over the fact that their record was no longer valid and had to set new records in metric distances.
The same can be true for the 42 km distance. If the event is ever returned to the original 42 km distance runners can and will have to get use to new times and records in the new distance. I'm sure the 200 m difference between the old and the new won't make that much of a difference. It sure would be interesting if someone would come up with a 50 km super marathon. Euric ----- Original Message ----- From: "Pat Naughtin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, 2004-03-07 17:40 Subject: [USMA:29103] Marathon Dear All, I have just heard some delightful news about the Los Angeles Marathon. It appears that the Los Angeles Marathon race used signs posted in kilometres at 5 km intervals to assist foreign participants. On even the longest journey, every kilometre begins with a single millimetre. This advance in Los Angeles poses an interesting question with respect to the Athens Olympics: will the Athens Marathon actually be run from Marathon to Athens, and if so will they actually measure the real distance reputedly run by Philippides in 490 BCE? [According to legend he reached the city, after running 42 kilometres, said, 'Rejoice, we conquer', and then fell to the ground dead. At the birth of the modern Olympics, in 1896, the Marathon race was run from Marathon to Athens over a distance of exactly 42 kilometres.] As You probably know, the current marathon distance (42.195 km) was set for the 1908 London Olympics so that the course could start at Windsor Castle and end in front of the Royal Box. That distance was subsequently set as the 'official' marathon distance by the International Association of Athletic Federations in 1921. Cheers, Pat Naughtin LCAMS Geelong, Australia Pat Naughtin is the editor of the free online newsletter, 'Metrication matters'. You can subscribe by sending an email containing the words subscribe Metrication matters to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --
