Wallington’s David Weir – the most successful wheelchair racer in the history of the London Marathon – will return to the race for a remarkable 20th consecutive year on Sunday April 28.

David Weir winning last year’s London Marathon. This April’s race will see him compete for a 20th consecutive time

Weir started his racing career in the London Mini Marathon, representing his home borough of Sutton. Since graduating to the senior, 26-mile 385-yard race, he has won the London Marathon a record-breaking eight occasions.

Weir’s first London Marathon was in 2000 when, aged 19, he finished fifth. He won the London for the first time in 2002. Further victories came in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2017 and 2018.

Weir, now 39, had toyed with retirement from sport, but has recently announced that he will stay in training at least until next year’s Tokyo Paralympics, where he will attempt to add to his six golds. Sutton has a rare claim to fame among the country’s boroughs, with two golden post boxes thanks to Weir’s medal-winning efforts at the 2012 London Games.

Today, confirming his race plans, Weir said: “It’s amazing to be getting ready for my 20th race at the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon. It has been an incredible journey from my first London Marathon back in 2000 and I feel very proud that I have not missed a single race since that very first one.

“Every year I say to myself that even if I only do one race, it has got to be the London Marathon. It is such a special event for me.”

The full list of participants in the men’s and women’s elite wheelchair races will be announced next week.

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