David Weir aiming to win fifth title in April. 8 February 2011

David Weir will return to his hometown on Sunday 17 April aiming to win a fifth title at the Virgin London Marathon, following his three Gold medals at the IPC World Championships in New Zealand.

David is keen to add another London crown to those he won in 2002 and from 2006 to 2008. A fifth victory would make him the most successful men’s wheelchair racer in London Marathon history.

As British record holder, he faces stiff opposition from defending champion Josh Cassidy, the Canadian Paralympian; world record holder Heinz Frei of Switzerland and his compatriot Marcel Hug who was second last year and one of the swiftest marathon racers ever.

The field also includes two other former London champions in Mexican Saul Mendoza and Frenchman Denis Lemeunier, while Japan’s Kota Hokinoue will also be a threat after finishing fourth last year and again at the World Championships.

But David loves racing on home soil and will come to London full of confidence after winning the New York marathon last November in commanding style. He has added incentive in 2011 having been denied a fifth title on his favourite course last year when he suffered two punctures while leading the race.

“Last year was a big disappointment for me. But I know I’m in great form at the moment.

“Winning in New York was a huge boost to my confidence and I was really happy to come away with three Golds from the World Championships in New Zealand. But this is a strong field with a number of potential winners so I will have to be at my best to take my fifth title.”

Virgin London Marathon race director David Bedford said: “I am delighted to welcome back Britain’s two finest wheelchair racers for the 2011 Virgin London Marathon. They will find it as tough as ever this year against two very strong fields including both men’s and women’s world record holders and a number of world medallists. I am sure we are set for another pair of highly competitive races.”