Cookies help our website to remember you and your preferences. For more information or to update your cookie settings, please go to our privacy policy.

Accept Decline
Skip to content.

The national charity and leading voice for disabled people in sport and activity

Menu. Open and close this menu with the ENTER key.

Men’s wheelchair report: Hug denies Weir to clinch first London win

After three runner-up spots, Swiss world champion Marcel Hug finally claimed wheelchair victory in the Virgin Money London Marathon today when he beat Britain's Paralympic champion David Weir in 1:32:41, just a week after winning the Paris Marathon.

Today's race and tactics worked out perfectly for the 28-year-old who won five IPC world titles last summer, but was only fourth fastest on paper at the start of today's world class race.

"Conditions were perfect for racing," said Hug, whose silver bullet-shaped helmet reflected the glorious London sunshine. "The wind wasn't too strong so it was OK for us to race in.

"I wanted to play an active part in the race, stay with the leaders and attack as many times as I could. I could see the others were on the limit, so it meant I was doing well."

Hug denied Weir a record seventh London title but meant the crowds witnessed one of the London Marathon's finest sprint finishes. Both he and Weir are established athletes on the circuit, and know each other's racing styles. Their respect for each other is just as admirable.

"I'm very pleased to win and happy that I have beaten David," said Hug. "I'm glad he is continuing in his career and going on to Rio. I love to compete against him- he makes it a challenge."

In contrast to Hug, Weir chose to limit his appearances last year, and this week withdrew from Boston Marathon because of a chest infection to put all his effort into London.

"I had a little virus last week, but nothing major," he explained. "During the race Marcel tried to test me a couple of times, but I knew with the four of us in the pack, it was going to be between me and him.

"On another day it might have been me who crossed the line first, but he just got me this time."

The array of talent setting off from Blackheath included 2010 winner Josh Cassidy of Canada and South Africa's nine-time Boston winner Ernst Van Dyk. As in previous years, a leading group broke away from the mass field by half way, and the battle came down to four as they approached The Mall - Hug, Weir, Van Dyk and Japan's Kota Hokinoue.

It was no surprise that Hug and Weir led them out and Hug triumphed by one second from the Briton with Van Dyk third in the same time as Weir, his quest for a London wheelchair title unfulfilled for another year.

At 41, Van Dyk took comfort in knowing he was among the winning places.

"A big pack at the start made it hard in the corners," said Van Dyk. "It was a fast start and a strong field. I'm always fortunate with the break to get away with the leaders."

Hokinoue finished fourth in 1:32:43, as almost three minutes ahead of Frenchman Pierre Fairbank who clocked 1:35:05 in fifth.

Next week many of the athletes will be travelling to compete in the Boston Marathon as Hug takes maximum points into the second half of the Boston London Wheelchair Challenge looking for his third victory in three weeks.