The London Marathon makes landmark move to be the world’s first to award equal prize money to wheelchair and able-bodied athletes, which racing legend David Weir calls ‘a huge benchmark for disability sport’

The London Marathon has become the first marathon in the world to award equal prize money to wheelchair and able-bodied athletes.

Winners of the men’s and women’s wheelchair events on April 21 will each receive £43,600 – the same as the runners who finish first in the elite men’s and women’s races. Runners-up across all events will earn £23,800, while those finishing in third place will claim £17,800.

This milestone has been praised by David Weir, the eight-time record winner of the London Marathon wheelchair race.

“London Marathon has once again raised the bar for equality across all racing divisions,” said the British legend, who will race in the capital for the 25th consecutive time in April. ‘This is a huge benchmark for disability sport and I hope other races and sporting organizations can take note of it.’

Hugh Brasher, event director of the London Marathon, added: ‘We are delighted to continue our commitment to disability sport with this milestone which ensures that the prize money available to our elite wheelchair athletes is exactly the same as for those in the able-bodied elite. breeds.

Hugh Brasher, the London Marathon’s event director, confirmed that the prize money will be the same

Organizers of the London Marathon plan to commemorate the death of last year’s champion Kelvin Kiptum

“We have made great progress in recent years towards our ambition to make the TCS London Marathon the most diverse and equitable marathon in the world and this is another important step towards achieving that goal.”

London Marathon organizers also plan to commemorate the death of last year’s men’s champion Kelvin Kiptum during the race in April. They have postponed naming this year’s elite fields until next week to avoid a clash with the Kenyan’s funeral on Friday.