Why do athletes run 1500 meter races and not 1600 meters being that 1600 is closer to a mile and four full laps around a 400m track?

Answer 1

While 1600m is closer to a true mile, there is no specific reason why internationally the 1500m is ran instead of the 1600m. The 1500m race started in the late 1800s in Europe, most likely as a metric version of the 1 mile race the Americans were running during that time. Once the metric system became the widely accepted measurement standard throughout most of the world the 1500m was officially adopted by International competition. With a record book spanning over 100 years for the 1500m race, it is unlikely the 1600m will become an official International race. The 1600m however, is most commonly ran in Highschool track.