London Marathon to make wheelchair prize money equal to able-bodied race
It is the first in the world to adopt the measure
The London Marathon has announced the price money for the wheelchair race will be the same as for the able-bodied event for the first time.
It will increase by around £43,000 this year, matching the £243,000 up for grabs for able-bodied athletes.
The marathon's wheelchair races were already the richest in the world, and takes place on Sunday 21 April 2024.
Hugh Brasher, Event Director of the TCS London Marathon, said: “We are proud of our history in championing participants with disabilities".
“We are delighted to continue our commitment to disability sport with this landmark move that ensures the prize money available to our elite wheelchair athletes is exactly the same as for those in the able-bodied elite races."
British wheelchair racing legend David Weir will be racing his 25th consecutive London Marathon this year after graduating from the Mini London Marathon races.
He is the most decorated athlete in the event’s history with a total of eight wins and says London’s move to creating parity in the elite race prize pots is something he hopes other events can follow.
Weir said: “It’s a very exciting year for me and for wheelchair racing, again London Marathon has set the bar for parity across the racing divisions. This is a huge benchmark for disability sport and I hope other races and sporting bodies can take note.”