The second of its kind, the event was organised by The London Marathon in partnership with Westminster City Council and featured 31 races for all ages and abilities.

As the road began to dry following a rain-swept morning in London, the six time Paralympic champion flew around the course, which skirts St James's Park in the heart of Westminster to cross the finish line in front of Buckingham Palace in 3min 07sec, beating the time of 3:09 he clocked to win last year.

Despite breaking the world record, Weir fell just short of the three-minute barrier he had targeted to mark the official 60th anniversary of the first sub-four-minute mile run by Sir Roger Bannister in 1954.

"I gave it my best shot and I wasn't too far off," said Weir.

"I knew I was in good shape because I've done tons and tons of speed work.

"But it was just a bit tough here on the turns.

"If it was a straight mile, I would have gone under easily.

"The changeable conditions made it hard too.

"I didn't know if it was going to rain or not.

"I was planning for the wet and then it was dry.

"But it was such an honour to meet Sir Roger and it would have been great to have broken three minutes in front of him.

"I'll be back next year to give it another go."

David Weir was hoping to break the three minute mile mark on the 60 year anniversary of Sir Roger Bannister breaking the four minute mark for the mile on May 6, 1954 ©Getty Images



Sir Roger, who was at the finish line near the Queen Victoria Memorial at the top of The Mall to greet Weir, added: "It was wonderful to see him get so close.

"I think he'll do it next year."

Weir's world record time was enough to ensure he retained the British Athletics men's wheelchair road mile title he won 12 months ago, beating Japan's Kota Hokinoue by 22 seconds.

Meanwhile in the women's wheelchair race, Poland's former Paralympic rower Martyna Snopek won the women's wheelchair crown in 4:45.

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