2°
Unseasonably cold for late October, with temperatures in the 30s F
1988 Ballot results
The datasheet
Bank of America Chicago Marathon 1988 ballot: 11th edition, 5,795 finishers
The full marathon returned to Chicago on 30 October 1988 after a half-marathon-only 1987, and 20-year-old Alejandro Cruz of Mexico won the men's race in 2:08:57 to become the youngest man and first Mexican champion, while Lisa Rainsberger took the women's title in 2:29:17.
Edition
11th edition
Applications not published by race organiser
Field size
5,795
Total finishers
Race day
Oct 30
1988
Time qualifier
M2:50 W3:20
Open category (18–34)
Race day weather
What runners faced on the course
Context
What made 1988 notable
The marathon came back to Chicago. After Beatrice ended its backing and 1987 was run only as a half marathon, Old Style stepped in and the full distance returned on 30 October 1988. The story was a 20-year-old. Alejandro Cruz of Mexico, added to his national team as a late replacement, won in 2:08:57 to become the youngest man and first Mexican to take the title, holding off the Soviet Union's Yakov Tolstikov and Kenya's Richard Kaitany. Lisa Rainsberger won the women's race in 2:29:17, just ahead of Italy's Emma Scaunich and Britain's Paula Fudge. Unseasonably cold weather in the 30s F greeted the field, and 5,795 of about 8,700 entrants finished.
Year over year
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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 1988 ballot
Who won the 1988 Chicago Marathon?
Mexico's Alejandro Cruz won the men's race in 2:08:57, ahead of the Soviet Union's Yakov Tolstikov in 2:09:20 and Kenya's Richard Kaitany in 2:09:39. America's Lisa Rainsberger won the women's race in 2:29:17, ahead of Italy's Emma Scaunich in 2:29:46 and Britain's Paula Fudge in 2:29:47.
Why was the 1988 Chicago Marathon notable?
It marked the return of the full marathon after the 1987 event was run only as a half marathon following a loss of sponsorship. Now backed by Old Style, the race was won by 20-year-old Alejandro Cruz in 2:08:57, making him the youngest man and the first Mexican to win in Chicago.
How many people finished the 1988 Chicago Marathon?
A total of 5,795 runners finished, from about 8,700 who registered. The day was unseasonably cold for late October, with temperatures in the 30s F.
Did the 1988 Chicago Marathon use a ballot or lottery?
No. The 1988 Chicago Marathon used open registration, not a non-guaranteed entry drawing, so no ballot acceptance rate or application count exists for this edition. The race recorded 5,795 finishers.
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