The ING New York City Marathon had the largest number of race finishers of any marathon in 2003 after 34,729 athletes completed the course.
The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon ranked second with a figure of 32,362, with the Flora London Marathon third totalling 32,174.
With the Real Berlin event also tallying 30,709, it was the first time ever that four marathons have beaten the 30,000 figure in the same year.
New York, which replaced London at the top of the table, now ranks second on the all-time list.
The 100th Boston Marathon in 1996 produced 35,868 finishers.
This Sunday sees the 2004 edition of the London Marathon.
