TCS New York City Marathon 1970 ballot: 1st edition, 55 finishers
Held on 13 September 1970 over a little more than four laps of Central Park, the first New York City Marathon drew 127 starters and just 55 finishers, with off duty firefighter Gary Muhrcke of the United States winning in 2:31:38.
What made 1970 notable
New York's marathon began as a club run. On 13 September 1970, Fred Lebow and NYRR president Vincent Chiappetta sent 127 starters around a little more than four laps of Central Park, each lap roughly six miles. Only 55 finished. The winner, Gary Muhrcke, was a New York City firefighter who had come off a night shift, and he crossed in 2:31:38. Nina Kuscsik, the only woman to start, withdrew partway through due to illness, so there was no women's champion. Entry was open and unselected, with no ballot. The race stayed in Central Park through 1975, then expanded across the five boroughs in 1976, launching the Bill Rodgers and, from 1978, Grete Waitz era.
Applications over time
Time qualifier standards
View full age-group standards
| Age group | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 18-34 | 2:53:00 | 3:13:00 |
| 35-39 | 2:58:00 | 3:15:00 |
| 40-44 | 3:03:00 | 3:26:00 |
| 45-49 | 3:13:00 | 3:38:00 |
| 50-54 | 3:18:00 | 3:51:00 |
| 55-59 | 3:28:00 | 4:10:00 |
| 60-64 | 3:43:00 | 4:27:00 |
| 65-69 | 3:58:00 | 4:50:00 |
| 70-74 | 4:13:00 | 5:30:00 |
| 75-79 | 4:28:00 | 6:00:00 |
| 80-84 | 4:48:00 | 6:35:00 |
| 85-89 | 5:03:00 | 6:35:00 |
| 90+ | 5:18:00 | 6:35:00 |
Questions about the 1970 ballot
Why was the 1970 NYC Marathon notable?
It was the first ever New York City Marathon. Organised by Fred Lebow and NYRR president Vincent Chiappetta, it sent 127 starters around a little more than four laps of Central Park, and only 55 finished. The winner, firefighter Gary Muhrcke, had come off a night shift and won in 2:31:38.
Who won the 1970 NYC Marathon?
Gary Muhrcke of the United States won the men's race in 2:31:38. Nina Kuscsik was the only female starter and withdrew partway through due to illness, so there was no women's finisher.
When was the 1970 NYC Marathon held?
Sunday 13 September 1970, entirely inside Central Park over a little more than four laps of roughly 6 miles each. It was the 1st edition of the New York City Marathon, with 127 starters and 55 finishers.
What were the 1970 NYC Marathon ballot numbers?
There were none. In 1970 the New York City Marathon had no ballot, lottery, or drawing. Entry was open to anyone who turned up, so application and acceptance figures do not exist for this edition.