Brit ends Fearnley's record run

David Weir celebrates after winning the men's 800-metre, T54 final at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics. Source: AFP

BRITISH racer David Weir avenged back-to-back losses to Australian great Kurt Fearnley on Sunday by spoiling the wheelchair champion's bid for a record 10th successive Oz Day 10km in Sydney.

The fast-finishing international overtook Fearnley in the home straight to end one of sport's most extraordinary winning runs.

Fearnley vowed to return next year for another assault on winning his 10th title.

"It is hard to take, but what do you do? You get back up and you have another crack," Fearnley said.

"That is what Australia Day is about. Being resilient and showing grit is what Australians do best. And when you go through a bit of a rough patch, you just keep fighting.

"I knew he had a game plan to hold on to my back wheel, but I was hoping I had done enough for him to have disappeared.

"I was just gritting my teeth and hoping that I was hurting him more than I was hurting and that I'd be able to get away. But that just wasn't the case. It's a weird feeling."

A four-time gold medallist at the London Paralympics, Weir covered the Circular Quay course in 21 minutes and 30 seconds to finish ahead of Fearnley and Switzerland's Marcel Hug, who claimed third.

"I do feel a bit bad for Kurt but it's racing,'' Weir said.

"You just want to beat the people in front of you and that is what I did today.

"I'm really chuffed. This is one of the most iconic wheelchair races around the world. I've come second here twice and I was really hoping this year would be my year."

Switzerland's Manuela Schar won the women's race in 26 minutes and 17 seconds, finishing ahead of Australian defending champion Madison de Rozario (26:44) and Great Britain's Shelley Woods (26:45).

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