According to the Running USA 2014 Marathon Report, 2014 marked yet another record year for marathon finishers. The number of finishers in the U.S. reached 550,637, up from 541,000 in 2013. There were also a record 1,200+ marathon events in 2014.
Overall, the race has bounced back over the last two years from a rare decline in finishers marked in 2012. In 2000, 353,000 runners finished a marathon in the U.S.; in 1990, 224,000; and in 1980, only 143,000.
The New York City Marathon retained its leading spot as the world's largest marathon with 50,386 finishers, a record number of finishers. Six marathons – New York City, Chicago, Paris, London, Tokyo and Boston – had more than 31,000 finishers, while 23 marathons worldwide had more than 10,000 finishers. Also, 18 marathons had more than 15,000 finishers.
After New York, the Bank of America Chicago, IL was the second busiest marathon with 40,595 finishers; followed in the top five by Boston, MA, 31,932; Honolulu, HI, 21,814; and Asics Los Angeles, CA, 21,508. Globally, the top two were New York and Chicago followed by Paris, FRA, 38,575; Virgin London, GBR, 35,878; and Tokyo, JPN, 34,097.
Gender split remained consistent compared to previous years: 57 percent males (311,366) and 43 percent females (239,271) finishers. Women represented only 26 percent of marathon finishers in 1995 and 10 percent in 1980.
Of the finishers, 48 percent were 40 and older (264,305, a new higher overall and percent). The percentage has been fairly steady over the last decade. In 1980, 26 percent of those over 40 finished a marathon in the U.S.
Last year also marked the slowest average finisher times since 2005 at 4:19:27 for males and 4:44:19 for females. In 1980, the average finisher time for males was 3:32:17 versus 4:03:39 for females. The fastest marathon remains Boston with a median time of 3:52:09 and 59 percent of finishers done under 4 hours.
