Star-studded list of racers can't wait to return to traditional London course
The world’s greatest wheelchair racers have confirmed their places at the 2021 Virgin Money London Marathon in an all-star line-up in both the men’s and women’s races.
Defending champions Brent Lakatos (CAN) and Nikita den Boer (NED) – who both caused a surprise with their wins on the 2020 elite-only course around St James’s Park – are returning to London where they will face a host of athletes looking to take their crowns.
In the men’s wheelchair race, David Weir, the most decorated athlete in London Marathon history, is back for his 22nd consecutive appearance. Weir, who will be racing on both the track and road at the Paralympics at the end of the month, has won the race eight times and was a close second last year when the race was held in unique circumstances on a closed loop around St James’s Park.
Weir said: “I’m really looking forward to racing on the traditional route again and the other guys are too. I’m speaking not just for me but for everyone when I say we have missed it. That buzz of racing on the streets around the world is incredible and we can’t wait to get back to some sort of normality and get back to racing.”
Also in the men’s race is the prodigiously gifted American Daniel Romanchuk who won the Virgin Money London Marathon when it was last held on its traditional course from Blackheath to The Mall in 2019, plus two-time London Marathon champion Marcel Hug (SUI).
