Cold and windy
1980 Ballot results
The datasheet
TCS New York City Marathon 1980 ballot: 11th edition, 12,512 finishers
Run in cold and windy conditions on 26 October 1980, the 11th New York City Marathon was the stage for one of the great debuts in the sport as 22 year old Alberto Salazar of the United States won in 2:09:41, the fastest American marathon debut at the time, while Grete Waitz of Norway set a women's world best of 2:25:41 for her third straight New York title.
Edition
11th edition
Applications not published by race organiser
Field size
12,512
Total finishers
Race day
Oct 26
1980
Time qualifier
M2:53 W3:13
Open category (18–34)
Race day weather
What runners faced on the course
Context
What made 1980 notable
New York 1980 launched one of the great careers in American distance running. Alberto Salazar, 22 and the 1978 NCAA cross country champion, lined up for his first marathon having promised race director Fred Lebow he would break 2:10. Racing in his Oregon uniform through cold and windy streets, he delivered, winning in 2:09:41, the fastest American marathon debut at the time, ahead of Rodolfo Gomez and John Graham. Four time defending champion Bill Rodgers faded to fifth in 2:13:20. Grete Waitz of Norway claimed her third straight New York title in 2:25:41, a women's world best, beating Patti Catalano and Ingrid Kristiansen. The field grew to 14,011 starters and 12,512 finishers.
Year over year
Applications over time
Applications · 2013 → 2026
33K77K98K105K118K84K128K165K200K240K
'13'14'17'18'19'22'23'24'25'26
Qualifying
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 |
FAQ
Questions about the 1980 ballot
Why was the 1980 NYC Marathon notable?
It was Alberto Salazar's marathon debut. The 22 year old American won in 2:09:41 after promising race director Fred Lebow he would break 2:10, the fastest American marathon debut at the time. Grete Waitz of Norway set a women's world best of 2:25:41 for her third straight New York title.
Who won the 1980 NYC Marathon?
Alberto Salazar of the United States won the men's race in 2:09:41 on his debut, ahead of Rodolfo Gomez of Mexico in 2:10:13 and John Graham of Scotland in 2:11:46. Four time defending champion Bill Rodgers finished fifth in 2:13:20. Grete Waitz of Norway won the women's race in 2:25:41, a women's world best, ahead of Patti Catalano of the United States in 2:29:33 and Ingrid Kristiansen of Norway in 2:34:24.
When was the 1980 NYC Marathon held?
Sunday 26 October 1980, in cold and windy conditions. It was the 11th edition of the New York City Marathon, with 14,011 starters and 12,512 finishers.
What were the 1980 NYC Marathon ballot numbers?
New York Road Runners used first come and mail in entry rather than a drawing or lottery for the 1980 race, so application and acceptance figures are not listed here.
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