TCS London Marathon 1997 ballot: 17th edition, 29,189 finishers
Joyce Chepchumba became the first African woman to win the London Marathon, taking the 1997 title by one second over defending champion Liz McColgan.
What made 1997 notable
The 1997 race delivered two of the closest finishes in London Marathon history. In the women's elite race Kenya's Joyce Chepchumba became the first African woman to win in London, edging defending champion Liz McColgan of Britain by a single second in 2:26:51. The men's race was nearly as tight: Portugal's Antonio Pinto crossed in 2:07:55, a course record that finally beat Steve Jones' 1985 mark of 2:08:16, holding off Italy's Stefano Baldini by two seconds. Held on Sunday 13 April under the Flora sponsorship, the 17th London Marathon saw 39,813 entries accepted, 29,500 starters and 29,189 finishers.
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 1997 ballot
Who won the 1997 London Marathon?
Antonio Pinto of Portugal won the men's race in 2:07:55, a course record. Joyce Chepchumba of Kenya won the women's race in 2:26:51, the first African woman to win in London.
Why was the 1997 London Marathon notable?
Both elite races ended in photo finishes. Chepchumba beat defending champion Liz McColgan by one second, and Pinto beat Stefano Baldini by two seconds while setting a course record.
When was the 1997 London Marathon held?
Sunday 13 April 1997, the 17th edition of the race, run under the Flora sponsorship.
How many people ran the 1997 London Marathon?
39,813 entries were accepted, 29,500 runners started and 29,189 finished. London did not publish an exact total application count for 1997.