TCS New York City Marathon 1990 ballot: 21st running, 23,774 finishers
Run on 4 November 1990, the 21st New York City Marathon produced the closest women's finish in the race's history to that point, with Poland's Wanda Panfil holding off American Kim Jones by just five seconds in 2:30:45, while nine-time champion Grete Waitz placed fourth in her final New York appearance before announcing her retirement.
What made 1990 notable
New York 1990 came down to five seconds. Wanda Panfil of Poland and American Kim Jones ran shoulder to shoulder into Central Park, and Panfil broke the tape in 2:30:45 to Jones's 2:30:50, the closest women's finish the race had seen to that point. Behind them a chapter closed: Grete Waitz, winner of nine New York titles, chased a record-extending tenth after two years of injuries, faded to fourth in 2:34:34, and soon announced her retirement. The men's race went to Kenya's Douglas Wakiihuri, the 1987 world champion, who won in 2:12:39 over Salvador Garcia of Mexico, with defending champion Juma Ikangaa only fourth. A warm day in the 70s greeted 23,774 finishers.
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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 1990 ballot
Why was the 1990 NYC Marathon notable?
It produced the closest women's finish in the race's history to that point. Wanda Panfil of Poland won in 2:30:45, just five seconds ahead of American Kim Jones in 2:30:50. It was also the final New York appearance of nine-time champion Grete Waitz, who placed fourth and soon announced her retirement.
Who won the 1990 NYC Marathon?
Douglas Wakiihuri of Kenya won the men's race in 2:12:39, ahead of Salvador Garcia of Mexico in 2:13:19 and Steve Brace of Great Britain in 2:13:32. Wanda Panfil of Poland won the women's race in 2:30:45, ahead of Kim Jones of the United States in 2:30:50 and Katrin Dorre-Heinig of Germany in 2:33:21.
How many people ran the 1990 NYC Marathon?
A total of 23,774 runners officially finished, 19,274 men and 4,500 women. It was the 21st running, held on Sunday 4 November 1990.
What were the 1990 NYC Marathon drawing numbers?
New York Road Runners did not publish a separate drawing or lottery selection count for the 1990 race, so application and acceptance figures are not listed here.