Athletics at the 1980 Summer Olympics – Men's marathon

This was the 19th appearance of the event, which is one of 12 athletics events to have been held at every Summer Olympics. Returning runners from the 1976 marathon included defending champion Waldemar Cierpinski of East Germany, bronze medalist (and 1972 silver medalist) Karel Lismont of Belgium, fifth-place finisher (and two-time doubler in the 5000 metres and 10000 metres) Lasse Virén of Finland, seventh-place finisher Leonid Moseyev of the Soviet Union, and tenth-place finisher Henri Schoofs of Belgium. The two strongest challengers against a Cierpinski repeat were Bill Rodgers of the United States (1975 and 1978–80 Boston winner, 1976–79 New York winner, 1977 Fukuoka winner, and 1976 Olympian) and Toshihiko Seko of Japan (1979–1980 Fukuoka winner). Both men, however, were kept out of the games due to the American-led boycott.[2]

Algeria, the Republic of the Congo, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, the Seychelles, and Zimbabwe each made their first appearance in Olympic men's marathons. Great Britain made its 17th appearance, most of any nation competing but one behind the boycotting United States.

As all Olympic marathons, the competition was a single race. The marathon distance of 26 miles, 385 yards was run over a "very flat" out-and-back route along the Moskva river.[2]

These were the standing world and Olympic records prior to the 1976 Summer Olympics.

World record	Derek Clayton (AUS)	2:08:33.6	Antwerp, Belgium	30 May 1969
Olympic record	Waldemar Cierpinski (GDR)	2:09:55.0	Montreal, Canada	31 July 1980

No new world or Olympic bests were set during the competition.

All times are Moscow Time (UTC+3)

• 1978 Men's European Championships Marathon (Prague)
• 1980 Marathon Year Ranking
• 1982 Men's European Championships Marathon (Athens)
• 1983 Men's World Championships Marathon (Helsinki)
• 1986 Men's European Championships Marathon (Stuttgart)