Organisers of the Virgin Money London Marathon have invited wheelchair athletes including multiple global medallist David Weir (coach: Jenny Archer) who won a record seventh title at the prestigious event last April.
Alongside Weir will be Simon Lawson (Ian Thompson) and JohnBoy Smith (Archer) in the men’s race, whilst Jade Jones (Ian Thompson and Tanni Grey-Thompson) will compete in the women’s contest.
Three athletes have also been invited to represent the British Athletics team at the event in April, which also incorporates the World Para Athletics Marathon Cup.
Leading the way will be Derek Rae (Ron Morrison) who recorded a significant personal best at the 2017 edition of the event. The T46 athlete lowered his time to 2:33:24 to secure a brilliant bronze medal at the World Cup event in 2017.
Rae commented on his selection: “London last year was very special and the reward for a lot of hard work in the build-up to the event. It was a great moment for me and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to do it in front of a home crowd.
“To win a bronze medal in a British vest was an honour and I’m very excited to get another opportunity on this level. I’ve been training hard in Kenya so I have my eyes on another big performance on home soil in April.”
Also competing in the British vest are Rob Smith (Job King) in the T52 marathon as well as Chris Goodwin (Nick Anderson) who makes his maiden international appearance for the British team. Goodwin – a T11 marathoner, for athletes with a visual impairment – has a best of 2:43:30 which he recorded in Frankfurt last October.
