Perfect conditions with an unprecedented 650,000 spectators
1997 Ballot results
The datasheet
Bank of America Chicago Marathon 1997 ballot: 20th edition, 14,322 finishers
Morocco's Khalid Khannouchi won the 20th Chicago Marathon on his marathon debut in 2:07:10, the fastest debut ever run and at the time the fourth fastest marathon in history, breaking the 12-year-old course record as the race drew a record 16,372 registrants.
Edition
20th edition
Applications not published by race organiser
Field size
14,322
Total finishers
Race day
Oct 19
1997
Time qualifier
M2:50 W3:20
Open category (18–34)
Race day weather
What runners faced on the course
Context
What made 1997 notable
Khalid Khannouchi turned the 1997 race into a launchpad. Running his first ever marathon, the Moroccan won the 20th Chicago Marathon in 2:07:10, the fastest debut anyone had run and at the time the fourth fastest marathon in history, breaking the 12-year-old course record that Steve Jones had held since 1985. Marian Sutton of Great Britain completed a Chicago double, winning the women's race in 2:29:03 a year after her first title. Perfect weather and an unprecedented 650,000 spectators welcomed a record 16,372 registrants from all 50 states and 47 countries, with 300,000 dollars in prize money plus 197,000 dollars in time bonuses on the line.
Year over year
Applications over time
Applications · 2022 → 2026
80K86K123K160K200K
'22'23'24'25'26
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 1997 ballot
Who won the 1997 Chicago Marathon?
Khalid Khannouchi of Morocco won the men's race in 2:07:10 on his marathon debut, and Marian Sutton of Great Britain won the women's race in 2:29:03.
Why was Khalid Khannouchi's 1997 Chicago time so significant?
His 2:07:10 was the fastest marathon debut ever run and at the time the fourth fastest marathon in history, breaking the 12-year-old course record held by Steve Jones.
How big was the 1997 Chicago Marathon field?
The race set an event record with 16,372 registrants, of whom 14,322 finished, drawn from all 50 states and 47 countries.
What is the 1997 Chicago Marathon acceptance rate?
Chicago does not publish a single official drawing acceptance rate, so none is recorded for 1997.
← Previous year
Bank of America Chicago Marathon 1996 results
Next year →
Bank of America Chicago Marathon 1998 results
Free alerts · Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Want the next Bank of America Chicago Marathon ballot window?
Set alert