Swiss superstar Marcel Hug delivered another masterclass in long distance wheelchair racing, winning his eighth men’s title to move level with Britain’s David Weir as the most successful elite athlete in the history of the event.
The 40-year-old dominated the race from start to finish to win in 1:24:13 and clinch his sixth victory in a row in London by a huge margin of more than four-and-half minutes.
The ‘Silver Bullet’ shot away from his rivals after 10K of the 42K race and powered on over the sun-dappled London streets to cross the line less than 30 seconds outside his own 2023 course record.
Hug was again on a different level, finishing a full mile and a half ahead of the field as he extended an unprecedented winning streak in London stretching back to 2021.
“I'm not much into statistics but it’s a great standard to be equal with David, who is a legend here in London and a legend in general,” said the three-time Paralympic marathon champion.
"Right now, I feel exhausted, I'm very satisfied. To win in London is always amazing.”
The young Chinese racer Luo Xingchuan had chased Hug home at the Tokyo Marathon earlier this year and the 23-year-old again made a brave effort to stay on terms.
That was never going to be possible on a day of Hug-made history, but the world track medallist was rewarded with a second-place finish on his London debut in 1:28:46.
As for Weir, he finished third in 1:29:23, which was his 22nd podium place on his 27th consecutive London Marathon. It was a huge effort by the 46-year-old after a dramatic week of unplanned international travel and rushed repairs to a broken racing chair following Monday’s Boston Marathon.
Afterwards, the six-time Paralympic gold medallist called it “one of my best performances” of his long career. “I’ve got to be proud of myself today. I put my heart and soul out there today.”
Hug, the ever-confident Swiss, set off from the start with intent, leaving Greenwich under blue skies with a trail of five challengers behind him, including Weir, Xingchuan and his compatriot, the Paralympic silver medallist Jin Hua, plus last year’s runner-up, Tomoki Suzuki of Japan.
It was Xingchuan who stuck with Hug through the first 10K as the rest slipped back, but it wasn’t long before the champion stamped his authority on the race, pulling clear over the streets of Bermondsey to reach halfway 46 seconds ahead in 41:21.
From that moment on, victory was never in doubt as the untouchable Hug had London’s streets all to himself.
Suzuki was the best of the non-medallists, finishing fourth ahead of last year’s third place, Jetze Plat of the Netherlands.
