TCS New York City Marathon 1973 ballot: 4th edition
Run on loops of Central Park on 30 September 1973, the 4th New York City Marathon was won by Tom Fleming of the United States in an event record 2:21:54, while Nina Kuscsik of the United States took the women's race in 2:57:07 for her second straight title.
What made 1973 notable
This was the fourth running and the heart of New York's Central Park era, a small open race a world away from the five borough spectacle to come. There was no ballot or lottery: anyone could enter for a token fee, a far cry from the 1970 debut where just 127 started and 55 finished. Tom Fleming, a 22 year old from New Jersey, won his first New York title in an event record 2:21:54, leading an all American men's podium over Norbert Sander and William Bragg. Nina Kuscsik claimed her second straight women's crown in 2:57:07, taking more than 11 minutes off her 1972 mark, ahead of Boston pioneer Kathrine Switzer. The five borough course arrived in 1976.
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 1973 ballot
Why was the 1973 NYC Marathon notable?
It was the 4th edition and one of the Central Park years, run on park loops six years before the five borough course arrived. Tom Fleming of the United States won his first New York title in an event record 2:21:54, and Nina Kuscsik of the United States took the women's race in 2:57:07 for her second straight title.
Who won the 1973 NYC Marathon?
Tom Fleming of the United States won the men's race in an event record 2:21:54, ahead of Norbert Sander in 2:23:38 and William Bragg in 2:26:33. Nina Kuscsik of the United States won the women's race in 2:57:07, more than 11 minutes faster than her 1972 win, ahead of Kathrine Switzer in 3:16:02 and Lynn Blackstone in 3:55:43.
When and where was the 1973 NYC Marathon held?
Sunday 30 September 1973, run entirely on loops of Central Park. It was the 4th edition of the New York City Marathon, which stayed in Central Park from 1970 through 1975 before expanding to all five boroughs in 1976.
What were the 1973 NYC Marathon ballot numbers?
There were none. In the Central Park era the New York City Marathon had no ballot, lottery, or drawing: entry was open with a small flat fee. New York Road Runners archives also note the 1973 results are missing from the collection, so a finisher count is not officially published.