Weir breaks world record at Westminster Mile but fails in mission to post sub-three minute time

Six-time Paralympic champion David Weir won the wheelchair race at the Westminster Mile in a world record time ©Bob Martin/BUPA

Britain’s David Weir held off arch-rival Marcel Hug of Switzerland to win the BUPA Westminster Mile in a world record 3mins 02.21sec in London today.

The six-time Paralympic champion banished memories of his London Marathon disappointment, where he was pipped by American Joshua George in the late stages, and surged to a commanding victory ahead of Hug.

He did not, however, manage to become the first wheelchair racer in history to complete the distance in a sub-three minute time which he had targeted before the race

It was the third Westminster Mile title Weir has won but he admitted he was “gutted” to not post a quicker time.

“Nearly, so nearly,” he said.

“Marcel went off like a rocket but I took the rest of the race on.

“I’m gutted because I’ve been doing sub-three in training all week.

“It’s just the bends on this course that make it so hard.

“I could hear Marcel behind me at the end and knew he was there.

“Usually he’s got great strength at the end, so I’m glad I could finish it off.”

David Weir proved too strong for arch-rival Marcel Hug who had to settle for second place in the Westminster Mile ©Getty Images

Weir had said before the race began that it would need ideal conditions if both he and Hug were to make history, and he certainly got those as the start was greeted with bright sunshine.

In a thrilling contest between the two wheelchair powerhouses, Hug was quickest off the mark and flew out of the blocks to establish an early lead.

But testament to his battling qualities, 35-year-old Weir, who has claimed he will retire after the 2017 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletics World Championships in London, fought his way back and overtook the Swiss at the halfway point.

It was a lead he never looked like relinquishing as he crossed the line clearly delighted at claiming his third straight Westminster Mile crown but perhaps frustrated that he could not mark the 30th anniversary of Steve Cram’s mile record, set in Oslo in 1985, with his own piece of history.

“It’s great to get the world record again, but it’s a shame not to get sub-three,” Weir added.

“I’m getting closer and closer.

“If Marcel had not been on my tail I wouldn’t have got 3:03 and tt’s great that he’s here supporting the race.”