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Women’s wheelchair report: Dominant McFadden takes the course to retain her title

Tatyana McFadden defended her women's wheelchair title in style at the 2014 Virgin Money London Marathon today, breaking her own one-year-old course record as she crossed the line in 1:45:12.

The American world champion, who won a Winter Paralympic silver in sit-skiing last month, looked in the shape of her life as she continued her dominance of the women's wheelchair event, winning by more than a minute and a half from world champion Manuela Schar.

"I did a lot of work in the team today," said McFadden. "It was a tough race, but I stayed calm and relaxed and I tried to use the downhills as much as I could."

After a phenomenal 2013, McFadden returned to London as one of the greatest athletes of our time and did not disappoint. In 2013, the 24-year-old won four major marathons in a row, including London, and six gold medals at the IPC World Championships in Lyon.

After her win in New York, McFadden packed her racing chair away to focus on the Sochi Paralympics.

"I kept training in the snow and lifting so my muscles were still in shape," she said. "But the transition was hard from skiing to road racing. I didn't have the warm weather training in Australia like the others."

Among the line-up in the women's race was the 2009 and 2011 winner and McFadden's country team-mate Amanda McGrory, who was second in 2013. But today McFadden was leader of the pack from half way, fighting off her nearest rivals - Wakako Tsuchida from Japan and Swiss Manuela Schär.

By the time she reached The Mall McFadden was clear and she raced alone to the line.

"Conditions were great today," she said. "The weather was gorgeous and I loved it."

Second place went to London debutant and world champion Schär in 1:46:44, one second ahead of 2010 champion Tsuchida.

Schär said: "It was a hard race and an amazing crowd. I just wanted to stay with the leaders and it worked out well."

Britain's Shelly Woods was sixth behind American Susannah Scaroni and Canadian Christie Dawes. The Paralympic silver medallist clocked 1:54:52 while her fellow Briton Jade Jones enjoyed her first London Marathon, recording a respectful 1:59:59 in ninth.

At 18, she won the Virgin Money Giving Mini Marathon in a new course record last year. Now a senior, she is a promising new athlete, who has proved she can compete with the best on track and road.

As for McFadden, she is hoping to continue with her international success when she travels back to USA to defend her Boston London Wheelchair Challenge title at the Boston Marathon on 21 April.

She has 2015 on her mind too. "It's a great start to the season," McFadden said. "I love London and I'll be back because I just love the support we get."