TCS London Marathon 1984 ballot: 4th edition, 15,675 finishers
Charlie Spedding won the 1984 Mars London Marathon in 2:09:57 in only his second marathon, a result that launched him to Olympic marathon bronze for Great Britain in Los Angeles three months later.
What made 1984 notable
The fourth London Marathon, run on Sunday 13 May 1984, was the launchpad for Charlie Spedding. The Sunderland runner won in 2:09:57 in only his second marathon, ahead of fellow Britons Kevin Forster and Dennis Fowles, then carried that form to bronze in the Los Angeles Olympic marathon that summer, the last time a British man medalled in the Olympic event. It was also the first London under new title sponsor Mars, who took over from Gillette. Norway's Ingrid Kristiansen claimed the first of her London titles in a course-record 2:24:26, a European record, from Priscilla Welch and Sarah Rowell. Around 70,000 applied, 21,142 were accepted, 16,992 started and 15,675 finished.
Applications over time
Good-for-age standards
View full age-group standards
| Age group | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 18-34 | 2:52:00 | 3:38:00 |
| 35-39 | 2:52:00 | 3:38:00 |
| 40-44 | 2:57:00 | 3:43:00 |
| 45-49 | 3:02:00 | 3:46:00 |
| 50-54 | 3:07:00 | 3:53:00 |
| 55-59 | 3:12:00 | 3:58:00 |
| 60-64 | 3:34:00 | 4:23:00 |
| 65-69 | 3:52:00 | 4:53:00 |
| 70-74 | 4:52:00 | 5:53:00 |
| 75-79 | 5:07:00 | 6:13:00 |
| 80-84 | 5:27:00 | 6:38:00 |
| 85-89 | 6:10:00 | 7:10:00 |
| 90+ | 7:20:00 | 7:45:00 |
Questions about the 1984 ballot
When was the 1984 London Marathon held?
Sunday 13 May 1984. It was the fourth running and the first held under new title sponsor Mars, who took over from Gillette.
Who won the 1984 London Marathon?
Britain's Charlie Spedding won the men's race in 2:09:57, ahead of Kevin Forster. Norway's Ingrid Kristiansen won the women's race in 2:24:26, a course record.
Why was Charlie Spedding's 1984 London win significant?
It came in only his second marathon and earned him a place in the Great Britain team for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, where he took bronze, the last time a British man medalled in the Olympic marathon.
How many runners finished the 1984 London Marathon?
15,675 finished. Around 70,000 people applied, 21,142 were accepted and 16,992 started the race.