TCS London Marathon 1989 ballot: 9th edition, 22,701 finishers
Douglas Wakiihuri outsprinted a three-man pack to win the 1989 ADT London Marathon in 2:09:03, while David Holding became the first athlete to push a wheelchair marathon under two hours.
What made 1989 notable
The 1989 ADT London Marathon, the ninth running, produced one of the closest men's finishes in the event's history. Kenya's Douglas Wakiihuri broke away in the final stretch to win in 2:09:03, just three seconds clear of Australia's Steve Moneghetti and six clear of Djibouti's Hussein Ahmed Salah. Veronique Marot took the women's title in 2:25:56, a British national record that would stand for 13 years until Paula Radcliffe lowered it. The day's landmark came in the wheelchair race, where David Holding clocked 1:59:31 to become the first athlete to complete a marathon on wheels in under two hours. Of around 72,000 applicants, 31,772 were accepted, 24,452 started and 22,701 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 1989 ballot
When was the 1989 London Marathon held?
Sunday 23 April 1989. It was the ninth running and the first under title sponsor ADT.
Who won the 1989 London Marathon?
Kenya's Douglas Wakiihuri won the men's race in 2:09:03, three seconds ahead of Steve Moneghetti. Veronique Marot won the women's race in 2:25:56.
How many runners finished the 1989 London Marathon?
22,701 finished. Around 72,000 people applied, 31,772 were accepted and 24,452 started.
Did the 1989 London Marathon set any records?
Yes. Veronique Marot's 2:25:56 was a British national record that stood for 13 years, and David Holding's 1:59:31 was the first sub-two-hour wheelchair marathon.