The Swiss duo returned to the marathon to enjoy London victories again

Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner took victories at the TCS 2024 London Marathon this weekend (April 21), making it a double win for Switzerland.

This isnt the first time the para athletes have claimed titles in London, with both holding the course records.

Hug celebrated his fourth win in a row while Debrunner got her second in three years, following her 2022 victory.

The Silver Bullet clocked 1:28:35 in London and led the pack most of the way. Hug began to break away from the leading group at the 20 mile mark, crossing the line with an imperious 31-second lead.

It was tough out there, he said. I had to go very hard. I tried so many times to break away and finally I made it but Im very happy. My competitors did very well, I tried to make them tired but they were very strong today.

The conditions werent good enough to break another course record. It was a very technical race, slow and then fast so with those conditions I could not go any faster.

The Paralympian won the mens wheelchair race in Boston six days earlier in a course record of 75:33 despite crashing at one stage. Amazingly he was just seven seconds short of the world best despite the accident.

I maybe did slow a little bit down on the corners, he added. I need a bit of a break now, because of my crash in Boston I still feel my chest hurt a little bit so hopefully that will help me.

American Daniel Romanchuk, who won the title in 2019, finished second, improving on his fourth place finish in London last year.

Eight-time winner David Weir, now 44, finished behind the pair in third place, clocking 1:29:58. The Brit has had an incredible career, from winning seven Mini London Marathons to celebrating his 25th consecutive appearance and his 21st podium finish.

He finished in third place last week in Boston, six minutes behind Hug.

I just wanted to be on the podium, that was the aim, said Weir. To be with Marcel [Hug] until 20 miles was taking its toll on me. My body is still sore from last week but Im just happy to be on the podium.

To do back to back podiums is amazing. Ive never done them before so thats another tick off my list. I was thinking: What other athletes have ever done that in any sport?. I just feel like we need a bit more publicity and a platform for what weve done over the years.

I never thought for my first one that I would do 25 years in a row. There have been periods where I didnt think Id turn up for some of them due to injuries but I always made sure that even if I did one race every year it would be that [London Marathon].

Its where I started and probably where Ill finish. I dont know when that will be but Im happy training, I enjoy training and Im still competing at the highest level. Once that goes Ill then be able to hang up the gloves.

It was very hard, I tried so many times to break away and then finally I made it.

Marcel Hug reflects on winning the @LondonMarathon mens wheelchair race, his fourth win in a row

Hug clocked 1:28:35 in London, his own course record from last year is 1:23:44

pic.twitter.com/sE8UuNXvcU

AW (@AthleticsWeekly) April 21, 2024

Debrunner, meanwhile, capitalised on the dry conditions in the British capital as she led the race from very early on, clocking 1:38:54 as she crossed the finish line.

As she put a gap between herself and her rivals she went on to finish six minutes in front of fellow Swiss athlete Manuela Schar (1:45:00).

The 29-year-old, who is also a teacher, competed for Switzerland at the 2019 Para Athletics Championships where she won a gold and silver medal. Taking up marathons in 2022, she then set course records in Berlin, London and Chicago.

Im extremely happy, said Debrunner. It was really challenging because the wind was extremely strong and it came from the side as well so I was not going straight at all.

My main goal today was not for a time I just wanted to be able to show what Ive been showing in training.

Reflecting on a double win for Switzerland she added, I was really happy when I saw that it was the two of us who won, its perfect. Im really happy that the Swiss were so good today.

Great Britains Eden Rainbow-Cooper, who won the Boston Marathon last week, came sixth in 1:50:39.

The wheelchair races enjoyed much higher prize money than previous years too as the TCS London Marathon became the first marathon in the world where prize money for both wheelchair and able-bodies athletes is exactly the same.

The prize pot has increased by $54,500, meaning the total now stands at $308,000. This means that all winners in the elite races of the 2024 TCS London Marathon on April 21 will receive $55,000, with the runner-up earning $30,000 and third-place $22,500.