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London Marathon 2022: Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner set new course records in wheelchair races

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Catherine Debrunner and Marcel HugImage source, Getty Images
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Catherine Debrunner and Marcel Hug won the women's and men's wheelchair races

Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner set new course records as they completed an all-Swiss sweep of the London Marathon wheelchair titles.

Four-time champion Hug defended his 2021 crown in one hour, 24 minutes and 38 seconds, holding off a late overtake attempt by American Daniel Romanchuk.

Great Britain's David Weir - making his 23rd consecutive London Marathon appearance - was third.

Debrunner won her first London title in one hour, 38 minutes and 24 seconds.

Previously a sprinter, it was the 27-year-old's second marathon victory in a week after winning her maiden title over the distance in Berlin last week.

"It's been a crazy year for me," Debrunner told Â鶹ԼÅÄ Sport. "I did Berlin for the first time and it was such a great adventure and experience. I knew London would be a different route, a difficult one with lots of turns.

"It was the toughest race I've ever done. I worked really hard in the summer and saw a big progression but I never expected to win the marathons. It's quite cheeky but unbelievable."

American Susannah Scaroni was second, almost four minutes back, while Great Britain's Eden Rainbow-Cooper was third.

Defending champion Manuela Schar of Switzerland did not make the start line.

Speaking to Â鶹ԼÅÄ Sport about his win, 36-year-old Hug said: "To be honest it was tough, it was one of the toughest marathons for a long time.

"I tried everything to break away from Daniel but no chance, he was too strong. In the end I'm very happy that I could make the sprint finish first.

"I tried not to let him lead, tried to make him tired and keep up the pace."

The 2022 London Marathon wheelchair races are the richest in history, after the total prize fund was increased by $57,800 (£48,000).

The total prize money on offer has increased from £118,700 to £167,000, with the winners of the men's and women's races receiving £29,300 each, up from £20,900 in 2021.

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