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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Matthew Cooper

London Marathon wheelchair winner 'won't be happy' as rival didn't do 'scrap of work'

Marcel Hug successfully defended his London Marathon title, breaking the course record as he won the elite men's wheelchair marathon.

Hug was forced to defend a late challenge from rival Daniel Romanchuck, who attempted to overtake him on the inside of the final bend after sitting behind the Swiss star for the majority of the race.

It was a tight sprint finish, but Hug was able to cut off his rival before pulling away and claiming victory. However, 11-time Paralympic champion Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson suggested Hug "might not be terribly happy" with Romanchuck after the American did "not do a scrap of work in the race".

Speaking on the BBC's coverage of the event, she said: "Marcel Hug was in front and took a fair line there - he's a very gracious athlete but he might not be terribly happy with that.

"Even though it's not against the rules it is not ideal to have someone sat behind and not do a scrap of work in the race as Daniel Romanchuk did."

Britain's David Weir came in third after a sprint finish, earning him a spot on the podium in his 23rd consecutive London Marathon. The 43-year-old is an eight-time winner of the race, more than any other athlete in history.

"When David Weir is in that position you wouldn't bet against him in a sprint finish - he just knows how to take that final turn," Grey-Thompson said of Weir's performance. "You can see that this means a huge amount to Weir."

Catherine Debrunner won the elite women's wheelchair marathon in another course record time, finishing ahead of Susannah Scaroni and Eden Rainbow-Cooper. It is a monumental year for the wheelchair races, with this year's events the richest in history.

The total amount of prize money on offer has increased by $57,800 (£48,000) from $141,700 (£118,700) to $199,500 (£167,000). The two winners, Hug and Debrunner, will receive $35,000 (£29,300) each, an increase of $25,000 (£20,900) from last year's marathon.

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