Fernley beats home favourite Weir to Virgin London Marathon Title. 21 April 2013

David Weir’s bid for a record seventh Virgin London Marathon title ended in disappointment as he came home fifth today.

The wheelchair racer, who banished any thoughts of retirement after his four gold medals at London 2012, had no answer to his rivals’ power off the final turn as Australia’s Kurt Fearnley claimed victory.

The 33-year-old, sporting a werewolf logo on his red helmet in homage to the ‘Weirwolf’ nickname he was given at the Paralympics, came home in an unofficial time of one hour 31 minutes 31 seconds, two seconds adrift of Fearnley. Switzerland’s Marcel Hug was second.

It means Weir is still level on six wins with Tanni Grey-Thompson. He had previously won the race in 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2012.

David said ‘I am gutted but not that gutted because I gave it my best shot. This field was the toughest I’ve seen here. It was the same field that was in the Paralympic final.’

‘It just drives me on a little bit more. I’ll have the rest of the week off and then get back training on Thursday.’