The London Marathon is the world’s first marathon to offer equal prize money for its wheelchair and able-bodied races, making it a historic moment for disability sports.
The London Marathon wheelchair races were already the richest in the world, but a further increase of $54,500 (£43,000) to the prize money means the total prize pot stands at $308,000 (£243,000), creating parity with able-bodied athletes.
This means all winners in the elite races of the 2024 London Marathon will receive $55,000 (£43,500), with the runner-up earning $30,000 (£24,000) and third-place $22,500 (£18,000).
Hugh Brasher, event director of the London Marathon, said: “We are proud of our history in championing participants with disabilities, from introducing our first wheelchair race in 1983 to hosting the IPC World Championships on multiple occasions and providing a pathway from the Mini London Marathon to the London Marathon and beyond for Paralympic legends such as David Weir.
“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 the same as for those in the able-bodied elite races.
“We have made great strides in recent years towards our ambition to make the London Marathon the most diverse and equitable marathon in the world and this is another important step towards achieving that goal.”
Wheelchair racing legend David Weir will be racing his 25th consecutive London Marathon in 2024. The eight-time winner says the move to creating parity in the 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.”
The 2024 London Marathon takes place on Sunday April 21. The men and women’s elite fields will be announced on Monday February 26. Find out more here: https://www.tcslondonmarathon.com/
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