Metrication in the United States traditional mile-based lengths. In the Olympics, athletes run 1500 meters, not 1600 meters. Running races in the U.S. are usually run in metric distances (e.g., the 100 metres dash or the 5K run), although the mile distance remains popular. But even 5 and 10 kilometer races most often have mile markers on the course, and no kilometer markers. Long-distance races are often measured in kilometers, although exceptions exist (generally 10 mile races). The marathon is referred to as a 26.219-mile race (the official marathon standard distance originally being in English units — 26 miles, 385 yards) rather than 42.195 km.
The whole nine yards origin, though many early published quotations are now available for study. A vast number of explanations for this phrase has been suggested; many of these are no longer viable in light of what is now known about the phrase's history. The whole nine yards "The whole nine yards" or "the full nine yards" is a colloquial American English phrase meaning "everything, the whole lot" or, when used as an adjective, "all the way", as in, "The Army came out and gave us the whole nine yards on how they use space systems." Its origin is unknown and has been described