BMW Berlin Marathon 1997 ballot: 24th edition, 14,982 finishers
Ireland's Catherina McKiernan won the 24th Berlin Marathon on 28 September 1997 in 2:23:44, the fastest women's marathon debut ever run at that point and a new Berlin course record.
What made 1997 notable
The 1997 Berlin Marathon belonged to Catherina McKiernan. The Irish cross-country star stepped up to the marathon for the first time and won in 2:23:44, the fastest women's debut ever recorded at the time and a new Berlin course record that bettered Uta Pippig's mark. It also stood as an Irish national record. The men's race went to Kenya's Elijah Lagat in 2:07:41, his career-best marathon. The day carried a second milestone: 28 September 1997 was the first time inline skaters raced the Berlin course, launching what would become the world's largest inline marathon. Berlin's flat layout was already drawing the fastest fields in Europe, one year before Ronaldo da Costa's 1998 world record.
Finishers over time
Good-for-age standards
View full age-group standards
| Age group | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 18-34 | 2:45:00 | 3:10:00 |
| 35-39 | 2:45:00 | 3:10:00 |
| 40-44 | 2:45:00 | 3:10:00 |
| 45-49 | 2:55:00 | 3:30:00 |
| 50-54 | 2:55:00 | 3:30:00 |
| 55-59 | 2:55:00 | 3:30:00 |
| 60-64 | 3:25:00 | 4:20:00 |
| 65-69 | 3:25:00 | 4:20:00 |
| 70-74 | 3:25:00 | 4:20:00 |
| 75-79 | 3:25:00 | 4:20:00 |
| 80-84 | 3:25:00 | 4:20:00 |
| 85-89 | 3:25:00 | 4:20:00 |
| 90+ | 3:25:00 | 4:20:00 |
Questions about the 1997 ballot
Who won the 1997 Berlin Marathon?
Catherina McKiernan of Ireland won the women's race in 2:23:44 on her marathon debut. Elijah Lagat of Kenya won the men's race in 2:07:41.
Why was Catherina McKiernan's 1997 win so notable?
It was her first ever marathon. Her 2:23:44 was the fastest women's marathon debut in history at the time, a new Berlin course record and a new Irish national record.
What was the date and edition of the 1997 Berlin Marathon?
The 24th Berlin Marathon was held on 28 September 1997, the same day inline skaters raced the course for the first time.
Are ballot application numbers public for Berlin?
No. SCC EVENTS does not publish total entries or ballot application counts, only finisher counts and race results.