The fastest n-th fastest marathon time - Runner's personal records (PR's) are often publicized. Paula Radcliffe (ENG) has the fastest PR by virtue of holding the world record at 2:15:24.6. Her second fastest marathon is 2:17:17.8 which is the fastest, second fastest marathon time by a woman and she also holds the fastest third fastest marathon at 2:18:54.6. However, Catherine Ndereba (KEN) has the "honor" of having the fastest fourth fastest marathon at 2:21:12. Her fastest marathons are (2:18:47, 2:19:26, 2:19:55 and 2:21:12). Note that this list answers other questions such as who has the most sub-2:30 marathons - Katrin Dörre (GER) with 21. With this in mind, here is the list of the Fastest n-th fastest marathon times.
Fastest debut marathon - For men, 2:05:50 by Evans Rutto (KEN) at Chicago (IL/USA) on 12 Oct 2003. For women, 2:18:56 by Paula Radcliffe (ENG) at London (ENG) on 14 Apr 2002.
Marathons won by women - On occasion, the first runner across the finish line in a mixed race marathon is a woman (this list ends at 31 December 2007 because it has become too common to detail all of the examples):
22 Feb 1986 Seven Sisters (ENG) 2:49: Sarah Rowell
2:53: Sam Lambourne
Aug 1988 McKenzie River Trail (OR/USA) 4:16:46 Sandi Arrington (USA)
4:27:29 George Cox (USA)
21 May 1994 Skyline to the Sea (CA/USA) 3:38:00 Barbara Acosta (USA)
4:17:50 Chris Giedt (USA)
09 Sep 1995 Bismark YMCA (ND/USA) 2:46:46 Christina Scobey (NY/USA)
2:53:00 Thomas Lacey (CO/USA)
Mar 1997 Guam (GUM) 3:07:48 Rhonda Davidson-Alley (GUM)
3:11:32 Jim Walker (GUM)
19 Dec 1999 Christmas (WA/USA) 2:52:55 Laura Nelson
2:55:11 Cliff Gill
May 2001 Prince of Wales (AK/USA) 3:27:55 Susan Doherty (USA)
3:28:05 Willis Ferenbaugh (USA)
01 Jan 2002 Redding (CA/USA) 2:56:05 Beverley Abbs (CA/USA)
3:01:53 Ed Ankring
05 Oct 2002 Big Sur Trail (CA/USA) 4:03:08 Jenny Knight (USA)
4:04:36 John Teske (USA)
01 Jan 2003 Redding (CA/USA) 3:03:50 Beverley Abbs (CA/USA)
3:08:52 Ed Ankring
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03 May 2003 Wild Wild West (CA/USA) 4:06:25 Jana Gustman
4:09:01 Norman Kabrick
30 Jun 2003 Nunavut Midnight Sun (CAN) 4:36: Lisa Ramshaw
4:45: Rich Holmes
01 Jan 2004 Redding (CA/USA) 3:09:38 Beverley Abbs (CA/USA)
3:22:52 Rob Carreau (USA)
15 Feb 2004 Desert Classic (AZ/USA) 2:48:44 Janice Posey (AZ/USA)
2:54:39 Tony Kelly (CAY)
05 Jul 2004 Nunavut Midnight Sun (CAN) 4:25:07 Amanda Silk
4:25:41 Neil Kigutaq
24 Oct 2004 Nike 26.2 (CA/USA) 3:03:06 Jessica Langford (IL/USA)
3:07:30 Lee Marigold (CA/USA)
26 Dec 2004 Tahnee Welch (GER) 3:52:02 Silvia Rehn (GER)
4:04:23 Thomas Wenning (GER)
2004 The Houtewae Challenge (NZL) 3:30:30 Catherina Ward (NZL)
unknown
07 May 2005 Wild Wild West (CA/USA) 4:06:05 Marian Richard
4:20:07 Dow Mattingly
25 Oct 2005 Nike 26.2 (CA/USA) 2:59:32 Tracey Gold (CA/USA)
3:09:57 Michael Fuortes (NY/USA)
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22 Dec 2005 Kreuxdeich (GER) 3:53:50 Anja Samse (GER)
3:59:51 Gunter Tewes (GER)
07 May 2006 Diablo Mountain (CA/USA) 4:44:18 Caren Spore (CA/USA)
5:15:00 Jorgen Eriksen (CA/USA)
08 Jul 2006 Alajarvi (FIN) 3:41:00 Hanna Haapa-Aho (FIN)
3:45:45 Tuukka Peltola (FIN)
09 Sep 2006 Odyssey Trail (VA/USA) 4:38: Bethany Patterson (USA)
4:40: Neal Jamison (USA)
24 Sep 2006 Boulder Backroads (CO/USA) 2:43:10 Nuta Olaru (ROM)
2:49:09 Steve Krebs (CO/USA)
07 Oct 2006 Triple Lakes Trail (NC/USA) 3:30:23 Emily Ruth (NC/USA)
3:36:20 Andrew Douglas (USA)
29 Dec 2006 Johann Christian Poggendorf (GER) 4:49:30 Rosemary vonKocemba (GER)
5:54:44 Christian Hottas (GER)
25 Mar 2007 Daffodill Dawdle (ENG) 4:27: Lisa Joanne Barry (ENG)
4:28: Glyn Morris (ENG)
07 Apr 2007 Russell Crowe (GER) 4:35:34 Rosemary vonKocemba (GER)
4:52:26 Hartmut Feldmann (GER)
30 Apr 2007 Paloheina (FIN) 4:10:26 Ritva Vallivaara-Pasto (FIN)
6:06:03 Tapani Sallya (FIN)
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09 Jun 2007 Maryville (MO/USA) 2:57:25 Christine Ensign (USA)
3:08:38 Matthew Berndt (USA)
30 Jun 2007 Running With the Devil (NV/USA) 4:45:29 Karla Kent (USA)
5:29:50 Ted Plautz (USA)
01 Jul 2007 Prato/Boccadirio (ITA) 3:11:39 Monica Carlin (ITA)
3:15:02 Ivan Cudin (ITA)
07 Jul 2007 Sommer (GER) 4:15:27 Susanne Mahlstedt (GER)
4:17:47 Petzi Schickelgruber (GER)
09 Sep 2007 Yorkshireman (ENG) 6:39:25 Catherine Shaw (ENG)
6:43:41 Gordon Teal (ENG)
15 Sep 2007 Shore to Shore (WA/USA) 2:58:14 Marlene Farrell (USA)
3:13:54 Todd Knowles (USA)
16 Sep 2007 Newfoundland Provincial (NF/CAN) 3:04:21 Allison Hobeika (CAN)
3:09:24 Bill Pomeroy (CAN)
16 Sep 2007 Paloheina (FIN) 3:50:17 Ritva Vallibaara-Pasto (FIN)
3:54:03 Jouni Jaakkonen (FIN)
07 Oct 2007 Bizz Johnson Trail (CA/USA) 2:46:35 Heather Fuhr (CAN)
2:59:56 Christopher King (USA)
21 Oct 2007 Arne Frank (GER) 5:01:27 Rosemarie vonKocemba (GER)
5:16:01 Christian Hottas (GER)
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21 Oct 2007 Nike (CA/USA) 3:01:26 Laura Thompson (USA)
3:09:04 Otto Elliott (USA)
28 Oct 2007 Eros Ramazotti (GER) 4:55:10 Rosemarie vonKocemba (GER)
5:09:09 Christian Hottas (GER) + Meinulf Kron
28 Oct 2007 Frankenstein (MO/USA) 3:49:35 Ellen Erhardt (USA)
3:49:36 Don Frichtl (USA)
18 Nov 2007 Paloheina (FIN) 4:04:39 Ritva Vallibaara-Pasto (FIN)
4:34:24 Esa Nieminen (FIN)
01 Dec 2007 Paloheina (FIN) 3:49:15 Ritva Vallibaara-Pasto (FIN)
4:36:16 Hans Mannsten (FIN)
29 Dec 2007 Paloheina (FIN) 3:59:43 Ritva Vallibaara-Pasto (FIN)
4:29:13 Hans Mannsten (FIN)
Note: In the 2005 Nike 26.2 (CA/USA) Marathon, the first six finishers were women altho it should be noted that this was advertised as the Nike Women's Marathon despite allowing men to run.
Marathons that cross international borders - Several marathons cross international borders. These include:
AUT-SLO Mednarodni EU (from Eisenkappel AUT to Preddvor SLO, alternates direction) BEL-NED Maas (from Visé BEL to NED and return) BRA-ARG Aguas Internacional (from Foz do Iguaçu BRA to Puerto Iguazu ARG) CAN-USA Detroit Free Press (from Windsor ON CAN to Detroit MI/USA) ESP-FRA Transpyrénéen Catalan (from Figueras ESP to Le Boulou FRA) GER-POL Europa (from Gorlitz GER to Zgorszelec POL) GER-SUI-AUT Drei-Länder (from Lindau GER to St Margarethen SUI to Bregenz AUT) MON-FRA-ITA Monaco (from Monte Carlo MON to FRA to ITA and return) NOR-SWE Unions (from Romskog NOR to SWE and return) POL-GER Usedom (from Swinoujscie POL to Wolgast GER) SLO-AUT Kralj Matjaz PetzenLand (from Crna na Koroskem SLO to Bleiburg AUT) SUI-LIE LGT Alpin (from Bendern SUI to Malbun LIE) SVK-POL Visegrad (from Podoliniec SVK to Rytro POL) SVK-AUT Danube (from Bratislava SVK to Hainburg an der Donau AUT to Bratislava SVK) URU-ARG Binacional (from Salto URU to Concordia ARG) USA-CAN Casino Niagara (from Buffalo NY/USA to Niagara Falls ON/CAN) ZIM-RSA Two Countries (from Beitbridge ZIM to Musina RSA) BEL-FRA Hainaut (from Mons BEL to Vallenciennes FRA - Inactive) NED-GER Enschede (from Enschede NED to GER and return, 2004 edition - Inactive)
Largest Marathons - The ten largest marathon races, counted by the number of finishers for one running (year):
38,557 ING New York City 04 Nov 2007 New York NY/USA 37,936 ING New York City 05 Nov 2006 New York NY/USA 37,790 ING New York City 02 Nov 2008 New York NY/USA 36,856 ING New York City 06 Nov 2005 New York NY/USA 36,562 ING New York City 07 Nov 2004 New York NY/USA 35,868 Boston 15 Apr 1996 Boston MA/USA 35,786 Real Berlin 28 Sep 2008 Berlin GER 35,669 Flora London 22 Apr 2007 London ENG 35,105 Flora London 17 Apr 2005 London ENG 34,729 ING New York City 02 Nov 2003 New York NY/USA
The largest marathon races, as counted by the number of finishers summed over all years for that race, with more than 100,000 total finishers (wheelchairs, inline skaters, and other non-pedestrian competitors are not included):
787,638 New York City (NY/USA)
709,253 London (ENG)
504,148 Berlin (GER)
502,778 Honolulu (HI/USA)
463,184 Paris (FRA)
444,135 Chicago (IL/USA)
381,799 Marine Corps (DC/USA)
343,634 Boston (MA/USA)
278,967 Naha (JPN)
268,359 Stockholm (SWE)
10
258,741 Hamburg (GER)
234,848 Los Angeles (CA/USA)
177,393 Frankfurt (GER)
170,467 Rock 'n' Roll (CA/USA)
158,000 Dublin (IRL)
157,160 Twin Cities (MN/USA)
151,974 Grandma's (MN/USA)
136,219 Köln (GER)
126,495 Vienna City (AUT)
125,791 Chateau du Medoc (FRA)
20
110,678 Houston (TX/USA)
103,783 Rotterdam (NED)
Note: The Boston Marathon is missing total finishers for 1901-06, 1908-17, 1919-1960, 1963, and 1968; the Los Angeles Marathon is missing total finishers for 1986-90, 1995-99; the Rotterdam Marathon is missing 1981-87, 1998-2000, and 2002-04. Several other marathons probably should be on this list but they have not as yet been documented.
Runners who have won a marathon in a town of the same name - Only one example has been found. Lucio Fregono (ITA) won a marathon in Fregona ITA on 18 September 2004, running a 3:35:51. He repeated on 17 September 2006 with a time of 3:28:05.
The most marathon wins in a life-time - Helge Hafsas (NOR) has won more marathons than any other individual with a grand total of 114 wins. Here are the runners with the most career marathon wins for men and for women. The most marathon wins in one calendar year is 35 by Rosemary vonKocemba (GER) in 2006.
The longest span of time between first and last (most recent) marathon wins - Penny DeMoss (USA) with a span of 31 years and 176 days, from November 2, 1975 to April 28, 2007. Here are the runners with time spans of 15 years or more.
The longest span of time between first and last (most recent) marathon finishes - Keizo Yamada ran his first marathon on November 3, 1949 (7th at the Japanese National Games in Tokyo JPN, time unknown) and his most recent marathon on April 21, 2008 (4:32:54 at Boston MA/USA). This is a span of 58 years and 168 days. (Thanks to Shigenobu Ota)
The longest span of time between first and last sub-2:20 marathons - Takeshi Soh (JPN) with a span of 22 years and 337 days, from April 2, 1978 to August 4, 2002. Here are the runners with the longest time spans (sub-2:20 marathons for men, and sub-2:50 marathons for women).
The most repeat wins in a single marathon - For men, 16 by Jim Pearson (USA) at the Birch Bay (WA/USA) Marathon in 1970, 1972, 1975-76, 1979, 1981-91. Here are the runners with six or more wins in a single marathon series.
The largest number of runners involved in a declared tie for first place - On March 15, 1980, at the Shamrock (VA/USA) Marathon, Richard Bogaty, Roland Davide, and David McDonald were all given times of 2:21:22 and declared joint winners.
Marathon consistency - Naoki Hirasawa (JPN) ran 2:28:48 to place 8th at the Otawara (JPN) Marathon on 23 Nov 2006. Three days later, on 26 Nov 2006, he placed 4th at the Tsukuba (JPN) Marathon with a time of 2:28:48. At least he improved his finish place. (Thanks to Shigenobu Ota)
Boston on Good Friday - Only one time has Boston been run on Good Friday. Johnny A. Kelley (USA) won the Boston Marathon on Good Friday, April 19, 1935 with a time of 2:32:08. (Thanks to Malcolm Heyworth)
Fastest runners never to have won a marathon - For men, Abderrahim Goumri (MAR) with a 2:05:30 PR (six starts, best finish 2nd). For women, Benita Johnson (AUS) with a 2:22:36 PR (six known starts, best finish 3rd).
Least rest between marathon wins - For men, Tarzan Brown (USA) won marathons on consecutive days back in 1936. On Saturday, October 11 in Port Chester NY/USA he won in 2:36:57.6. Then on Sunday, October 12 he won the New England Championship in Boscawen-Concord-Manchester NH/USA in 2:45:52. For women, Maria Tahkavuori (FIN) won both the morning and evening editions of the Valaran Vappuvipellys (Tampere FIN) Marathon, held on May 1, 2004. The two races started 12 hours apart so she had eight hours rest between her two wins. She had won the first edition of this same race the previous day (3 marathon wins in two days). Her times, in chronological order: 3:57:25, 3:55:53. and 4:00:50. (Thanks to Malcolm Heyworth)
Only woman to have finished 4 Olympic Marathons - Lorraine Moller in 1984 (5th in 2:28:34), 1988 (33rd in 2:37:52), 1992 (3rd in 2:33:59), and 1996 (46th in 2:42:21). Lisa Martin-Ondieki started four but finished only two: 1984 (7th in 2:29:03), 1988 (2nd in 2:25:53), 1992 (dnf), and 1996 (dnf).
Fastest men + women combined winning times - The fastest combined winning time for a marathon is 4:23:13.8, set at the Chicago (IL/USA) Marathon on 13 Oct 2002. Khalid Khannouchi (USA) won the men's race in 2:05:56 while Paula Radcliffe (ENG) won the women's race in 2:17:17.8, more than a minute under the old World Record. (Thanks to Marty Post)
First man with two performances under 2:05 - Haile Gebreselasie (ETH) was the first man to post two sub-2:05 marathons, on 18 Jan 2008 at the Dubai (UAE) Marathon. (Thanks to Marty Post)
First man with two performances under 2:06 - Khalid Khannouchi (USA) was the first man to post two sub-2:06 marathons when he broke his own world record of 2:05:42 with a 2:05:38 clocking at the London (ENG) Marathon on 14 Apr 2002.
First man with two performances under 2:07 - Josephat Kiprono (KEN) was the first man to post two sub-2:07 marathons, on 22 Apr 2001 at the Rotterdam (NED) Marathon.
First man with two performances under 2:08 - Vincent Rousseau (BEL) was the first man to post two sub-2:08 marathons, on 24 Sep 1995 at the Berlin (GER) Marathon.
First man with two performances under 2:09 - Rob deCastella (AUS) was the first man to post two sub-2:09 marathons, on 09 Apr 1983 at the Rotterdam (NED) Marathon.
First man with two performances under 2:10 - Bill Rodgers (USA) was the first man to post two sub-2:10 marathons, on 16 Apr 1979 at the Boston (MA/USA) Marathon.
First woman with two performances under 2:20 - Paula Radcliffe (ENG) won the Chicago (IL/USA) on 13 Oct 2002 in 2:17:17.7 for her second sub-2:20 performance. Just over two minutes later, Catherine Ndereba (KEN) finished second in 2:19:26, to become the second woman with two sub-2:20 performances.
First woman with two performances under 2:25 - Joan Benoit Samuelson's (USA) Olympic gold medal performance on 05 Aug 1984 was her second sub-2:25 performance.
First woman with two performances under 2:30 - Grete Waitz (NOR) was the first woman to post two sub-2:30 marathons, both at the New York City (NY/USA) Marathon and both on courses considered to have been short. However, her times of 2:27:32.6 (21 Oct 1979) and 2:25:41.3 (26 Oct 1980) were fast enough to have allowed her to have completed any additional distance needed to make up the full 42.195 kilometers with ease.
First woman with two performances under 2:35 - Grete Waitz (NOR) was the first women to post two sub-2:35 marathons. These were her first two marathons, both at the New York City (NY/USA) Marathon and both on courses considered to have been short. However, her times of 2:32:29.8 (22 Oct 1978) and 2:27:32.6 (21 Oct 1979) were fast enough to have allowed her to have walked any additional distance needed to make up the full 42.195 kilomters.
First woman with two performances under 2:40 - Christa Vahlensieck (GER) was the first woman to post two sub-2:40 marathons when she ran 2:38:32.8 at Steinwessen GER on 23 Sep 1978.
First woman with two performances under 2:45 - Jacqueline Hansen (USA) was the first woman to post two sub-2:45 marathons when she ran 2:43:54.6 at ran 2:38:19 at Eugene OR/USA on 12 Oct 1975. Christa Vahlensieck (GER) had two times under 2:45 but her first was at the Essen (GER) Marathon on 26 Oct 1974 on a course later shown to be 745 meters short.
First woman with two performances under 2:50 - Miki Gorman (USA) was the first woman to post two sub-2:50 marathons when she ran 2:47:12 at the Boston (MA/USA) Marathon on 15 Apr 1974.
First woman with two performances under 3:00 - Nina Kuscsik (USA) was the first woman to post two sub-3:00 marathons when she ran 2:59:33 at the Cherry Tree (NY/USA) Marathon on 19 Mar 1972.
Least time difference between first man and first woman - This is limited to major marathons defined as male winner under 2:20 and female winner under 2:50. The smallest time difference is 7:14 (434 seconds) at the Beijing (CHN) Marathon on 20 Oct 2002. Zhu-hong Li (CHN) won the men's race in 2:13:09 while Ya-nan Wei (CHN) won the women's race in 2:20:23.
Least time difference between the men's and women's world records - From 13 Apr 2003 to 27 Sep 2003, the men's record was 2:05:37.8 and the women's record was 2:15:24.6, for a time differential of 9:46.8. (Thanks to Marty Post)
Greatest combined ages for the male and female winners of a marathon - The 27 Apr 2002 Wings of Gold Marathon (Whidbey Island WA/USA) was won in 2:44:35 by Doug Kurtis (12 Mar 1952, age 50 years and 46 days) and in 3:30:21 by Gunhild Swanson (age 57), for a combined age in excess of 107 years. (Thanks to Maurice Wilson)
Fastest families - The fastest brothers are Eric (2:07:43) and Boaz (2:08:44.9) Kimaiyo with a combined time of 4:16:27.9. The fastest sisters are Hiromi (2:23:26) and Takami (2:23:43) Ominami with a combined time of 4:47:09 (Hiromi and Takami are twins). The fastest father and son are Waldemar (2:09:55) and Falk (2:13:30) Cierpinski with a combined time of 4:23:25. The fastest father and daughter are Alfred (2:24:59) and Sabrina (2:26:22) Mockenhaupt with a combined time of 4:52:21. The fastest mother and daughter are Hildegard (2:40:41) and Sabrina (2:26:22) Mockenhaupt with a combined time of 5:07:03. The fastest brother and sister are Samuel (2:15:50) and Catherine (2:18:57) Ndereba with a combined time of 4:34:47. The fastest husband and wife are Aleksandr Kuzin (2:07:33) and Tatyana Hladyr (2:25:44) with a combined time of 4:33:17. (Thanks to Marty Post, Shigenobu Ota, Franco Civai, Juraj Gasparovic, and Alex Wilson).
Husband and wife national record holders - Khalid Khannouchi (MAR/USA) holds the USA record of 2:05:37.8 (14 Apr 2002 at London ENG) and the MAR record of 2:05:42 (24 Oct 1999 Chicago IL/USA). Sandra Khannouchi-Natal (DOM) holds the DOM record of 2:46:46 (29 Oct 1995 Frankfurt GER). Khalid and Sandra hold three national records between them. (Thanks to Greg Diamond)
Longest running marathons - The Boston (MA/USA) Marathon is the longest running marathon in the world, having been run 110 times. Here are the marathons with 20 or more runnings.
Most different months for a single venue marathon to be staged - The Yonkers (NY/USA) Marathon has been held in seven different calendar months: April (1987-94), May (1913, 1945-55, 1957-71, 1973, 1975-86), June (1972, 1974), September (1948, 1956, 1997-date), October (1946-47, 1995-96), November (1907-11, 1914-15, 1917, 1935-45) and December (1916).
Marathon world best for men and women held by runners from the same country - For 38 days, between 13 Jun 1964 and 20 Jul 1964, the world best marathon performance for men was by Benjamin Basil Heatley (GBR) at 2:13:55 and for women was Dale Greig (GBR) at 3:27:45.
Fastest men + women combined national records - The United Kingdom (GBR) has the fastest combined national records with Paula Radcliffe (2:15:25) combined with Steve Jones (2:07:13) for a total of 4:22:38.
Most national marathon titles - (Thanks to Malcolm Heyworth)
12 AUT Adolf Gruber 1952-63
11 ISR Nili Avramski (F) 1996-98, 2000-02, 2005-08
10 SWE Gustav Kinn 1917, 1919-22, 1924-26, 1928-29
SWE Henry Palme 1934-42, 1944
POR Armando Aldegalega 1964, 1966-69, 1971-74, 1980
9 AUT Franz Tuschek 1926-27, 1929-35
DEN Henning Larsen 1941, 1943-50
EST Rein Leinus 1959-63, 1967-70
ISR Asaf Bimro 1995, 1997, 1999-2001, 2003-05, 2007
POR Fatima Silva (F) 1999-2002, 2004-08
8 IND Chhota Singh 1942, 1944, 1946, 1948-51, 1953
BUL Georgi Penchov 1947, 1949-50, 1955, 1957-58, 1960-61
USA John J Kelley 1956-63
BEL Aurele Vandendriessche 1956-57, 1959-64
TUR Ismail Akcay 1960's / 1970's
SCG Tomislav Askovic 1977, 1982, 1984-89
BUL Rumyana Panovska (F) 1987-89, 1996, 1999-2000, 2003-04
BUL Petko Stefanov 1994, 1996, 1999-2004
Oldest/youngest runners to win an open marathon - Nadezda Kavtaskina (LAT) at age 70y074d is the oldest person to win an open marathon when she won in 4:02:36 at Riga LAT on 07 Oct 2006. Here are the runners age 55 and older or age 15 and younger to have won an open marathon.
Oldest/youngest runners to win an open marathon under the ARRS qualifying standards (2:20/2:50) - Bernardine Portenski at age 49y060d is the oldest woman to win an open marathon under the ARRS qualifying standard of 2:50 when she won in 2:44:52 at Auckland NZL on 25 Oct 1998. Here are the 10 oldest and 10 youngest men and women to have won open marathons under the ARRS qualifying standards.