Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner win London wheelchair titles

The Swiss double returned to the marathon to enjoy London wheelchair wins

Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner took victories at the TCS 2024 London Marathon this weekend (April 21), making it a double win for Switzerland.

This isn’t the first time the para athletes have claimed titles in London, with both holding the course records.

Hug celebrated his fourth win in a row while Debrunner got her second in three years, following her 2022 victory.

The “Silver Bullet” clocked 1:28:35 in London and led the pack most of the way. Hug began to break away from the leading group at the 20 mile mark, crossing the line with an imperious 31-second lead.

“It was tough out there,” he said. “I had to go very hard. I tried so many times to break away and finally I made it but I’m very happy. My competitors did very well, I tried to make them tired but they were very strong today.

“The conditions weren’t good enough to break another course record. It was a very technical race, slow and then fast so with those conditions I could not go any faster.”

The Paralympian won the men’s wheelchair race in Boston six days earlier in a course record of 75:33 despite crashing at one stage. Amazingly he was just seven seconds short of the world best despite the accident.

“I maybe did slow a little bit down on the corners,” he added. “I need a bit of a break now, because of my crash in Boston I still feel my chest hurt a little bit so hopefully that will help me.”

American Daniel Romanchuk, who won the title in 2019, finished was second, improving on his fourth place finish in London last year.

Eight-time winner David Weir, now 44, finished behind the pair in third place, clocking 1:29:58. The Brit has had an incredible career from winning seven Mini London Marathon’s to celebrating his 25th consecutive appearance and his 21st podium finish.

He finished in third place last week in Boston, finishing six minutes behind Hug.

David Weir (LM Events)

I just wanted to be on the podium, that was the aim,” said Weir. “To be with Marcel [Hug] until 20 miles was taking its toll on me. My body is still sore from last week but I’m just happy to be on the podium.

“To do back to back podiums is amazing I’ve never done them before so thats another tick off my list. I was thinking what other athletes have ever done that in any sport. I just feel like we need a bit more publicity and a platform for what we’ve done over the years.

“I…