David Weir Denied Wheelchair Marathon Win By Flat Tyre
Britain’s David Weir was denied a fifth London Marathon win after a flat tyre allowed Canada’s Josh Cassidy to overhaul him in the wheelchair race.
The Londoner, who lost in a sprint finish to Australian Kurt Fearnley last year, had dominated from halfway after breaking free of Japan’s Kota Hokinoue.
But a 30-second lead vanished as Cassidy and Switzerland’s Marcel Hug took advantage to take pass Weir.
Cassidy’s London debut win came in one hour 35 minutes and 21 seconds.
Update:
Japan’s Wakako Tsuchida won the women’s race ahead of Swiss Sandra Graf.
The pair edged out defending champion Amanda McGrory in a sprint finish, but Britain’s Shelley Woods, who had led earlier in the race, dropped out of contention before the final stages.
If punctures are bad news for a wheelchair athlete, why not use the ‘Gunk’ used by off-road cyclists in their tyres?