7°
Cold, wind-driven rain at the start, 44 F, easing after the early miles
1984 Ballot results
The datasheet
Bank of America Chicago Marathon 1984 ballot: 8th edition, 5,844 finishers
On 21 October 1984 Steve Jones won the Chicago Marathon in 2:08:05, a marathon world record in his first completed marathon, beating Rob de Castella's mark by 13 seconds, while Rosa Mota took the women's race in 2:26:01.
Edition
8th edition
Applications not published by race organiser
Field size
5,844
Total finishers
Race day
Oct 21
1984
Time qualifier
M2:50 W3:20
Open category (18–34)
Race day weather
What runners faced on the course
Context
What made 1984 notable
Nineteen eighty-four belongs to Steve Jones. An RAF mechanic from Wales, he had dropped out of Chicago a year earlier with an ankle injury, so the 1984 race was the first marathon he ever finished, and he won it in a world record 2:08:05. Running without a watch in cold, wind-driven rain, he beat Rob de Castella's 2:08:18 by 13 seconds and only realised he was on record pace with two miles to go, ahead of a field that included Olympic champion Carlos Lopes and silver medallist John Treacy. Rosa Mota of Portugal defended her women's title in 2:26:01. Held long before any lottery, the race drew 5,844 finishers.
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Qualifying
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 |
FAQ
Questions about the 1984 ballot
Who won the 1984 Chicago Marathon?
Steve Jones of Great Britain won the men's race in a world record 2:08:05, and Rosa Mota of Portugal won the women's race in 2:26:01.
Why was Steve Jones' 1984 Chicago Marathon win so remarkable?
It was the first marathon he ever finished. Running without a watch in cold rain, he clocked 2:08:05, beating Rob de Castella's world record of 2:08:18 by 13 seconds, with Olympic champion Carlos Lopes in the field.
Did the 1984 Chicago Marathon have a ballot or lottery?
No. Chicago had no entry ballot in 1984, so there are no application or acceptance figures for that year. The drawing system came in later decades as demand grew.
When was the 1984 Chicago Marathon and how many finished?
It was held on Sunday, 21 October 1984, the eighth running, and 5,844 runners finished, an increase of over 600 on the previous year.
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