TCS New York City Marathon 1981 ballot: 12th edition, 13,223 finishers
On 25 October 1981 Alberto Salazar won his second straight New York City Marathon in 2:08:13, a mark celebrated as a world best at the time but later annulled when the course was found about 150 metres short, the same finding that erased Allison Roe's winning 2:25:28.
What made 1981 notable
Alberto Salazar crossed the line on 25 October 1981 believing he had run the fastest marathon in history. His 2:08:13 looked to better Derek Clayton's twelve-year-old world best of 2:08:33 and was hailed as a world record, the centrepiece of New York's golden era under Fred Lebow. It was also Salazar's second straight New York title. The same day Allison Roe of New Zealand won the women's race in 2:25:28, another apparent world best, with three-time champion Grete Waitz dropping out near 15 miles. The celebration did not hold. In December 1984 the course was remeasured at about 150 metres short, and The Athletics Congress rescinded both marks. The wins stand; the records do not.
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 1981 ballot
Why was the 1981 NYC Marathon notable?
Alberto Salazar won the men's race in 2:08:13, a time hailed as a world best at the time and thought to beat Derek Clayton's 2:08:33 from 1969. In December 1984 the course was remeasured and found about 150 metres short, so The Athletics Congress rescinded the record. Allison Roe's winning women's time of 2:25:28 was annulled by the same finding.
Who won the 1981 NYC Marathon?
Alberto Salazar of the United States won the men's race in 2:08:13 for his second straight New York title, ahead of Jukka Toivola of Finland in 2:10:52 and Hugh Jones of England in 2:11:00. Allison Roe of New Zealand won the women's race in 2:25:28, ahead of Ingrid Kristiansen of Norway in 2:30:08 and Julie Shea of the United States in 2:30:11.
When was the 1981 NYC Marathon held?
Sunday 25 October 1981. It was the 12th edition of the New York City Marathon, with 14,496 starters and 13,223 finishers.
What were the 1981 NYC Marathon ballot numbers?
New York Road Runners did not run a ballot or lottery drawing for the 1981 race, so application and acceptance figures are not listed here. A waiting list for entry was introduced from 1982.