Weir wins Big Apple prize

Paul Carter

British wheelchair racer David Weir has claimed his first ever victory in the New York marathon after storming to victory in an emphatic finish in Central Park.

The six-time Paralympic medallist defeated Masazumi Soejima of Japan in a blistering sprint finish over the final 200m, winning the race in a time of 1:37.29.

The delight was apparent for the 31-year-old, who has missed the last three New York marathons because of injury or illness.

Weir, who is still getting accustomed to a new racing chair, found himself slightly behind in the opening stages of the race, with Australian Kurt Fearnley, traditionally one of Weir’s main rivals, taking hold at the front.

Josh Cassidy, who pipped Weir to the London marathon title back in April, briefly picked up the lead before the 31-year-old took up position at the front of the leading pack.

At 18-miles, an unexpectedly jaded Fearnley struggled to match the pace of Weir and Soejima and the pair broke away to set up a thrilling finish.

With both racers wheel to wheel over the final stages, Weir’s trademark sprint power proved enough for him to edge out the race.

Weir said: “I knew Soejima is a good coaster downhill, so I knew I’d have to wait and wait and wait.

“My arms were so heavy, I didn’t think I’d get to the finish line.”

Fearnley admitted he was disappointed not to be able to pick up his fifth straight New York title.

“It was just a tough day and tough days don’t work out as planned,” he said.

“I kind of dreamt about going five straight in New York and probably the day after I won New York last year I put on my calendar that part of my dream.

“Part of the reason you wake up every single day for 12 months and train until you are exhausted, is that you can come back here and go five straight – when that doesn’t go to plan you get a little bit upset about it.”

There was disappointment in the women’s race for Blackpool’s Shelly Woods, who despite being installed as the favourite in the days leading up to the race in the absence of last year’s winner Edith Hunkeler crossed the line in 7th place.

Woods, who was looking to improve on her previous two successive silver medals looked uncharacteristically off the pace and was already down in seventh at the halfway point, with American athletes dominating the race.

21-year-old Tatyana McFadden picked up the gold medal after leading from beginning to end, with fellow Americans Christina Ripp and Amanda McGrory in second and third.

It was McFadden’s first victory over the New York distance.

The New York marathon is now firmly established as one of the premier wheelchair racing events on the calendar, with a prize fund in excess of $100,000, with the winner of each race picking up $15,000.