TCS London Marathon 1988 ballot: 8th edition, 20,932 finishers
The 1988 Mars London Marathon became the first to send more than 20,000 runners across the finish line, as Denmark's Henrik Jorgensen won in 2:10:20 and Ingrid Kristiansen took a fourth women's title.
What made 1988 notable
The eighth Mars London Marathon, run on Sunday 17 April 1988, crossed a participation milestone: 20,932 finishers, the first time the race had taken more than 20,000 runners to the line. Around 73,000 people had applied, 29,979 were accepted and 22,469 started. Denmark's Henrik Jorgensen won the men's race in 2:10:20, holding off Britain's Kevin Forster by 32 seconds, with Japan's Kazuyoshi Kudo third. Ingrid Kristiansen of Norway claimed a fourth London women's title in 2:25:41, finishing more than five minutes clear of Ann Ford despite fading badly over the second half. In the wheelchair races, Canada's Ted Vince and Britain's Karen Davidson both set course records, Vince becoming the first non-British winner of a London wheelchair event.
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 1988 ballot
When was the 1988 London Marathon held?
Sunday 17 April 1988. It was the eighth running and was held under title sponsor Mars.
Who won the 1988 London Marathon?
Denmark's Henrik Jorgensen won the men's race in 2:10:20, ahead of Kevin Forster. Norway's Ingrid Kristiansen won the women's race in 2:25:41, her fourth London title.
How many runners finished the 1988 London Marathon?
20,932 finished, the first time the race passed 20,000 finishers. Around 73,000 applied, 29,979 were accepted and 22,469 started.
Did the 1988 London Marathon set any records?
Yes. In the wheelchair races, Canada's Ted Vince (2:01:37) and Britain's Karen Davidson (2:41:45) both set course records, and Vince was the first non-British athlete to win a London wheelchair event.