800 metres 800 metres The 800 metres, or 800 meters (US spelling), is a common track running event. It is the shortest common middle-distance running event. The 800 metres is run over two laps of the track (400 metre track) and has been an Olympic event since the first games in 1896. During indoor track season the event is usually run on a 200-metre track, therefore requiring four laps. The event was derived from the imperial measurement of a half a mile (880 yards), a traditional English racing distance. Imperial racing distances were common in the United States. American high schools (in
One Lap of America One Lap of America The Tire Rack Brock Yates' One Lap of America is a motorsports event in the United States that has been held since 1984. It is the successor to the Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, an underground auto race of the 1970s. The original premise for both is to drive cross-country, but the One Lap of America respects speed limits. Both events are the creation of automotive journalist Brock Yates. Competition occurs as time trials held at various race tracks around the country. The competitors drive from race track to race track, (often driving 24 hours