Bank of America Chicago Marathon 1982 ballot: 6th edition, 4,642 finishers
On 26 September 1982 the sixth Chicago Marathon offered its first prize money, a $77,000 purse with $12,000 to each winner, and Greg Meyer and Nancy Conz of the United States responded with course records of 2:10:59 and 2:33:23.
What made 1982 notable
Nineteen eighty-two was the year Chicago bought its way into the elite. Backed by sponsor Beatrice Foods, the sixth running put up the city's first prize money, a $77,000 purse that handed each champion a $12,000 cheque, and the field answered: more than 30 world-class runners from eight nations among 6,014 racers. Greg Meyer of the United States seized the men's race in a course-record 2:10:59, beating the old mark by some three minutes, with Joseph Nzau and John Halberstadt close behind. Nancy Conz won the women's race in a course-record 2:33:23, roughly twelve minutes faster than the previous best. With 4,642 finishers, the prize-money reboot set Chicago on its path to becoming a major.
Applications over time
Time qualifier standards
View full age-group standards
| Age group | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 18-34 | 2:50:00 | 3:20:00 |
| 35-39 | 2:55:00 | 3:25:00 |
| 40-44 | 3:00:00 | 3:30:00 |
| 45-49 | 3:10:00 | 3:40:00 |
| 50-54 | 3:15:00 | 3:50:00 |
| 55-59 | 3:25:00 | 3:55:00 |
| 60-64 | 3:40:00 | 4:15:00 |
| 65-69 | 3:55:00 | 4:30:00 |
| 70-74 | 4:15:00 | 4:45:00 |
| 75-79 | 4:30:00 | 5:00:00 |
| 80-84 | 4:50:00 | 5:20:00 |
| 85-89 | 4:50:00 | 5:20:00 |
| 90+ | 4:50:00 | 5:20:00 |
Questions about the 1982 ballot
Who won the 1982 Chicago Marathon?
Greg Meyer of the United States won the men's race in a course-record 2:10:59, and Nancy Conz, also of the United States, won the women's race in a course-record 2:33:23.
Why was 1982 a turning point for the Chicago Marathon?
It was the first Chicago Marathon to offer prize money. The $77,000 purse, with $12,000 to each winner, drew more than 30 world-class runners from eight nations and set Chicago on its path to becoming a major.
Did the 1982 Chicago Marathon have a ballot or lottery?
No. Chicago had no entry ballot in 1982, so there are no application or acceptance figures for that year. The drawing system came in later decades as demand grew.
When was the 1982 Chicago Marathon and how many finished?
It was held on Sunday, 26 September 1982, the sixth running, and 4,642 runners finished, an increase of nearly 400 on the previous year, out of 6,014 racers.