Elite wheelchair press conference

Ahead of the 45th edition of the London Marathon, Marcel Hug and David Weir talk about their hopes for Marathon Day.  

Reigning London champion and course record holder, Hug is the undisputed number one men’s wheelchair racer in the world. He has won the last four London Marathons, bringing his overall tally of wins in London to six, just two behind the all-time record held by his great rival David Weir. He is nicknamed the ‘Silver Bullet’ due to his shiny helmet.   

On his prospects for Sunday’s race: 

“It’s nice to be back here in London, as it is every year. I had a great race in Boston [on Monday] and I’m really looking forward to Sunday here in London.  

“Honestly, I don’t think there’s any secret to my success; it’s just training, a lot of preparation, and of course I’m very lucky to have a lot of support. My body still feels good and I’m very excited for Sunday. 

“The most important thing is to enjoy the atmosphere when you have the opportunity to race in London, because the crowds will give you lots of energy. I think once you’ve raced here, you’ll definitely come back as there’s so much passion and it gives you energy.”  

On his gold at the Paralympic marathon in Paris: 

“It was definitely a great moment for me, to win the marathon at the Paris Paralympics. It was the last race [of the Games] and I really went there to go for gold, so it was a huge relief when I crossed the Finish Line first. It was really good.” 

On the warm weather forecast for Sunday: 

“I think it will be a lovely day. It could even be a bit hotter for me! I prefer warmer races, but it will be a good day.” 

On his recovery since the Boston Marathon on Monday: 

“To be honest, after the Boston Marathon my muscles were a bit sore from the uphills, but now I feel good again. My recovery has been good. Six days is just enough to recover fully from a marathon for us in wheelchairs, because we have a shorter recovery.  

“Also, mentally I feel ready again and I’m very excited for Sunday.” 

Weir is the most successful elite athlete in the history of the London Marathon with an incredible eight victories. Incredibly, 2025 will also be his 26th consecutive London Marathon since his debut in 2000. He won the Mini London Marathon seven times as a junior and is still the only male athlete, wheelchair or able-bodied, to win both mini and senior events. He is coached by Jenny Archer and together they run the Weir Archer Academy in Surrey.  

On his preparation for the 2025 TCS London Marathon: 

“To be honest, it’s been a rubbish winter, I’ve had lots of illnesses. I’ve got a two-year-old who’s just started nursery, so anyone who has a two-year-old knows what it’s like. I caught everything that was going around this winter. 

“But training over the last month has been good. I did a training camp in Spain and that went really well. This will be my first race since the New York City Marathon last year, where I had a really good race. Daniel [Romanchuk] pipped me on the line, but my confidence is still high from that race.  

“I performed pretty well all of last year, and I feel like I’m back to my best from about 10 years ago, so I feel optimistic for Sunday, but I’ve got to beat this guy here [Marcel Hug]. He’s the one to beat.” 
 
On his 26th consecutive London Marathon: 
 
“I’ve been lucky; injuries and stuff have been pretty limited. I can’t believe I’ll have done 26 in a row. I don’t know how many I’m going to do, but I’d like to do at least another four, but I said that about 10 years ago…  

“In four years I’ll be nearly 50 – I know I don’t look it! – so we’ll see. I take each year as it comes and maybe it’s a decision I’ll make at the end of the year when I’ve raced all year and chased these guys around the roads.” 

On the impact the Mini London Marathon had on him as a child: 

“The Mini London Marathon was the race I wanted to do as a kid. The London Marathon was the only race when you’d see wheelchair athletes on TV, so that’s what spurred me on to do wheelchair racing – seeing the Mini Marathon and the London Marathon.  

“If it wasn’t for the London Marathon, I probably wouldn’t be in Paralympic sport, so it’s been part of me all my life.  
 
“The Mini London Marathon is very important for the development of youngsters coming through, not just disabled athletes, but especially London-based kids. My eight-year-old, Lenny, is running it for the first time tomorrow, he’s running with his school, so it’s going to be an exciting day for him. 
 
“I think it’s just the buzz of the day; you’re part of the biggest marathon in the world, and it feels special to be part of the biggest marathon in the world when you’re a youngster.” 

On the warm weather forecast for Sunday: 
 
“I think it’s going to be perfect, to be honest. At least we won’t be freezing waiting on the Start Line ready to go. I think it’s going to be perfect conditions for us.” 

On missing the 2025 Boston Marathon due to illness: 
 
“I’m 100% now and I feel ready for Sunday. I just felt I didn’t have the energy to do two marathons in a week this year, but I feel perfect for Sunday.”