David Weir after winning London Marathon: ‘The last four months have been hell’

David Weir banished his Paralympics demons by winning a record seventh London marathon wheelchair race – and then revealed that he has been suffering with depression for seven months.

The 37-year-old quit the British team in January, saying he had been accused of throwing the 4x400m race at the Paralympics and having rarely looked happy in Rio de Janeiro, where he finished out of the medals in his five events. He also hinted at unspecified personal problems.

After powering away from last year’s winner, Marcel Hug, on the final bend to beat Tanni Grey-Thompson’s London wheelchair marathon record of six titles, he admitted that he had been struggling since September.

“I kept it to myself but I have been suffering depression for six or seven months,” he said. “Training was the only avenue that would clear my mind. It has been a challenge for the last four months but after Rio was where it started. I was in a dark place sometimes so it was nice to get out and kill that negative energy.

“The last four months have been hell for me,” he added. “It’s been a challenge to even get out and train. But all the people I’ve had helping me have been amazing – my coach, my mum, my kids. I thought I’d struggle to get on the start line a few months ago.”

Hug, who had won six of the last seven World Marathon Majors, was considered the big favourite but Weir decided to miss last Monday’s Boston marathon to give him the best possible chance of his winning London title since 2012. That proved an inspired decision as he powered home to win in 1:31.07, a second ahead of the Swiss.

Added Weir: “Marcel made a break about 23 miles and broke the pack up amazingly. But I didn’t want to waste my effort pulling away from them. He was shouting at me to come to the front and I just said: ‘I can’t, I’m sorry, I’m not doing it. I need to win this race and the best way of doing that is to stay behind you.’

“It was daunting seeing Hug’s result in Boston but Boston is different to London. The way he performed last year was truly amazing. I didn’t think the opportunity would come to beat him again. But now I feel there is a weight lifted off my shoulders. It’s one of the biggest wins I’ve ever had.”

Weir now plans to take a week or two off before deciding what he wants to do next, added: “I am going to savour the moment, take it in, and not worry about the track. Then I can sit down with my friends and family and decide what I want to do the next couple of years.”