Weir, the double Beijing 2008 Paralympic champion in the T54 800 and 1500 metres, will be aiming to make history by matching the six London Marathon titles won by British Paralympic legend Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson when he makes his 12th consecutive appearance in the race.

The 32-year-old Londoner became the first man to win five wheelchair marathons last year.

He admitted that he is excited about equalling the achievement of the Baroness as he finalises his preparations for the London 2012 Paralympic wheelchair marathon in October.

"It gives me a real boost to know I could equal Tanni's record this year," said Weir.

"She is such a fantastic ambassador for the sport, so to match one of her achievements would be fabulous."

Weir won a thrilling sprint finish in 2011, beating Switzerland's Heinz Frei by two seconds (pictured).


The Briton will face the veteran world record holder again this year when 18 of the world's elite men take to the start line.

The British record holder will be up against four former London champions, including 54-year-old Frei, a champion three times in the late 1990s, Mexico's Saul Mendoza, London champion in 2004 and 2005, Josh Cassidy of Canada, the 2010 winner, and Frenchman Denis Lemeunier, the 2001 champion.

However, Weir's sternest challenges could come from the two fastest men in the field – South African Ernst van Dyk , who has won the prestigious Boston Marathon a record nine times, and the in-form Japanese racer Masazumi Soejima, winner of marathons in Tokyo, Boston and New York.

The field also includes Marcel Hug of Switzerland, who came second in 2010.

"We've had such strong fields for the last few years that London is now up there as one of the best wheelchair marathons in the world," said Weir.

McGrory's task will be equally tough.

The 25-year-old from Pennsylvania faces a field that includes British record holder Shelly Woods the Beijing 2008 champion Edith Hunkeler of Switzerland and world champion Wakako Tsuchida.

The field also includes McGrory's American compatriot Tatyana McFadden, a former Chicago and New York City wheelchair marathon champion who was fourth last year.

McGrory will enter the race as one of the favourites after the four-time Paralympic medallist took nearly two minutes off Sandra Graf's 2008 course record with her victory last year.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
April 2011: McGrory holds off Woods to win London Marathon by a wheel
April 2011: Weir is wonderful as he warms up for London 2012 with record marathon victory