Victory for Dan Lucker but bitter disappointment for Dave Weir. 25 April 2010

Dan Lucker took another impressive victory on the streets of London in damp conditions, in the mini London Marathon, to celebrate his return to full fitness. Training partner Dave Weir was on course for a fifth title with the best field ever assembled in London, but a double puncture in the latter stages made victory impossible and he managed to hold on for third place.

Dan pushed hard from the gun to give himself the best chance of victory in his final race over the Mini Marathon distance in the 14-17 age group. He pulled well clear of the rest of the field, crossing the line in 12:36, to win by over two minutes. A new course record was just out of reach, but he notched up a fourth title, since making his debut five years ago.

He said: “I’m happy with the result but I would have liked to have gone faster. I was gutted when it started raining before the start! It is harder to push in the rain. I planned to go out hard and push on, which I did.

“I’m a bit sad that it is my last mini Marathon, I guess it’s the end of an era, but I’m looking forward to racing on the track now.”

Dave Weir was in great shape going into the marathon, which ended in bitter disappointment.

He said afterwards:

“I feel fitter than I ever have done in London, which makes it so frustrating to have two punctures, one to my front tyre and then the back left. I have never had one puncture before in London!

As the race unfolded, Dave pulled away from the field at 9 miles and pushed on, building his lead until he picked up a puncture at 15 miles to the front wheel and the final blow a second puncture at 20 miles.

“I still thought I could win after the first puncture, you can keep rolling with a flat front tyre, but after the second it was basically impossible. I just tried to keep going as I knew I had a big lead. I was going at snail pace for the last 6 miles and Josh caught me at the end of the Embankment.

“Looking back now, a better man couldn’t have won it, apart from me. I have trained with Josh (Cassidy) for almost 3 weeks since he has been over here preparing for London. I have worked really hard for this all winter, but I will move on to my next challenge now, building towards the World Championships in January.”

Link to bbc interview with Dave:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/disability_sport/8642783.stm