Brits to line-up for World Para Athletics Marathon Cup in London

The Virgin Money London Marathon will take place on Sunday 23 April. 21 Feb 2017
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Jade Jones of Great Britain looks on after her race during the Visa London Disability Athletics Challenge LOCOG Test Event for the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Jade Jones of Great Britain

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By IPC

Six para athletes will line-up for the British Athletics team at the World Para Athletics Marathon Cup which is incorporated into the Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday 23 April 2017.

Rio 2016 marathon Paralympians Simon Lawson and Derek Rae join the elite fields in the capital and will be targeting strong results on home soil at the prestigious event.

Lawson, who finished 14th in Rio, set a personal best in Berlin a week after the Games last year, with a time of 89:38, and goes in the same race alongside compatriot John Smith.

Rae, who spent the first month of the year training in Kenya for the first time, is hoping his hard work will reap dividends as he competes in London for the third consecutive year in the T46 race, his best placing was 12th in 2016.

Two-time Paralympian Jade Jones will go in the women’s T54 marathon with Rob Smith and GB debutant James Price selected for the T52 race, the latter competing in only his second ever marathon after setting a time of 2:24.03 in Dubai last year.

Paralympic Head Coach Paula Dunn commented: “The World Para Athletics Marathon Cup is highly important for these athletes and it is a great opportunity to perform to their best in front of a supportive home crowd. For many, it will be the main focus of the season, and I know they have been working hard over the winter period to maximise their performance in London.

“It is a massive year for our para athletes with the World Para Athletics Championships coming to London in summer. So I hope the crowds will show their support to our marathon athletes this weekend and inspire them to good performances.”

The British Athletics team for the World Para Athletics Marathon Cup in London on 23 April 2017:

Men’s T54 elite wheelchair:

•Simon Lawson

•John Smith

Women’s T54 elite wheelchair:

•Jade Jones

T46 elite ambulant:

•Derek Rae

T52 elite wheelchair:

•Rob Smith

• James Price

David Weir will compete individually in the T54 elite wheelchair race at the Virgin London Marathon)