Introduction
In the 39 times that the women’s division of the New York City has been held since 1971, 25 runners representing 15 nations have won the race. Two Norwegian runners have won the race 10 times. Americans have won the race seven times and runners from Great Britain and Kenya have won it five times each. One Latvian runner has won it twice and runners from Australia, Ethiopia, Germany, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Russia, and Switzerland have each won it once.
Seven runners have won the race more than once. Leading this group is Grete Waitz, of Norway, who won the race nines times between 1978 and 1988. Paula Radliffe, of Great Britain, won the race three times between 2004 and 2008. Two-time winners include Nina Kuscsik, of the United States, from 1972 to 1973, Miki Gorman, of the United States, from 1976 to 1977, Tegla Loroupe, of Kenya, from 1994 to 1995, Margaret Okayo, of Kenya, between 2001 and 2003, and Jeļena Prokopčuka, of Latvia, from 2005 to 2006.
Four records have been established at the New York City Marathon, including 2:55:22 by Beth Bonner in 1971, 2:32:30 by Grete Waitz in 1978, 2:27:33 by Waitz in 1979, and 2:25:42 by Waitz in 1981. An apparent world record of 2:25:29 by Allison Roe in 1981 was annulled after measurement of the course indicated the route was 150 meters short of 26.2 miles.
Winners of the New York City Marathon
1971 Beth Bonner (United States) 2:55:22 (WR, CR)
1972 Nina Kuscsik (United States) 3:08:41
1973 Nina Kuscsik (United States) 2:57:07
1974 Kathrine Switzer (United States) 3:07:29
1975 Kim Merritt (United States) 2:46:14 (CR)
1976 Miki Gorman (United States) 2:39:11 (CR)
1977 Miki Gorman (United States) 2:43:10
1978 Grete Waitz (Norway) 2:32:30 (WR, CR)
1979 Grete Waitz (Norway) 2:27:33 (WR, CR)
1980 Grete Waitz (Norway) 2:25:42 (WR, CR)
1981 Allison Roe (New Zealand) 2:25:29 (CR)
1982 Grete Waitz (Norway) 2:27:14
1983 Grete Waitz (Norway) 2:27:00
1984 Grete Waitz (Norway) 2:29:30
1985 Grete Waitz (Norway) 2:28:34
1986 Grete Waitz (Norway) 2:28:06
1987 Priscilla Welch (United Kingdom) 2:30:17
1988 Grete Waitz (Norway) 2:28:07
1989 Ingrid Kristiansen (Norway) 2:25:30
1990 Wanda Panfil (Poland) 2:30:45
1991 Liz McColgan (United Kingdom) 2:27:32
1992 Lisa Ondieki (Australia) 2:24:40 (CR)
1993 Uta Pippig (Germany) 2:26:24
1994 Tegla Loroupe (Kenya) 2:27:37
1995 Tegla Loroupe (Kenya) 2:28:06
1996 Anuţa Cătună (Romania) 2:28:18
1997 Franziska Rochat-Moser (Switzerland) 2:28:43
1998 Franca Fiacconi (Italy) 2:25:17
1999 Adriana Fernandez (Mexico) 2:25:06
2000 Lyudmila Petrova (Russia) 2:25:45
2001 Margaret Okayo (Kenya) 2:24:21 (CR)
2002 Joyce Chepchumba (Kenya) 2:25:56
2003 Margaret Okayo (Kenya) 2:22:31 (CR)
2004 Paula Radcliffe (United Kingdom) 2:23:10
2005 Jeļena Prokopčuka (Latvia) 2:24:41
2006 Jeļena Prokopčuka (Latvia) 2:25:05
2007 Paula Radcliffe (United Kingdom) 2:23:09
2008 Paula Radcliffe (United Kingdom) 2:23:56
2009 Derartu Tulu (Ethiopia) 2:28:52
References:
Association of Road Racing Statisticians, World Marathon Rankings for 1981,” ARRS Website
International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), World Record Progression, 12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics, IAAF Statistics Handbook, Berlin 2009 (IAAF Media and Public Relations Department, 2009)
Peter Larsson, “All-time Women’s Best Marathon,” Track and Field All-Time Performances Homepage
New York City Marathon WebsiteNYC Marathon Results Archive
