20 February 2017 

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.

2016 marathon Paralympians Simon Lawson (coach: Ian Thompson) and Derek Rae (Ron Morrison) 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 (Archer).

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 (Ian Thompson / Tanni Grey-Thompson) will go in the women’s T54 marathon with Rob Smith (Job King) 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 (Ian Thompson)

John Smith (Jenny Archer)

Women’s T54 Elite Wheelchair:

Jade Jones (Ian Thompson / Tanni Grey-Thompson)

T46 Elite Ambulant:

Derek Rae (Ron Morrison)

T52 Elite Wheelchair:

Rob Smith (Job King)

James Price

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