Loses the $ 50,000 prize in the Boston Marathon after a wrong turn before crossing the finish line

A mistake that cost him dear. The Swiss Marcel Hug, men’s wheelchair champion in the Boston Marathon, he lost $ 50,000 from the prize awarded by the organizers if the race record is broken after making a mistake in a last lap just before the finish line. Still, the renowned parathlete won with a time of 1:18:11, just seven seconds behind the mark.

Hug, who has won 12 Olympic medals (6 gold), pocketed $ 25,000 for the win, which he achieved in 1:18:11, but throughout the entire Boston Marathon run went to beat to beat the best record of the test, which he imposed in a time of 1:18:04 in the 2017 edition.

An error in the course just before the finish line prevented him from improving his own record. The swiss followed one of the official vehicles of the Boston Marathon down Commonwealth Avenue before realizing the mistake and heading back to Hereford Street. It happened in the last mile and a half of the race.

“It was a silly mistake on my part. I was focused on the leading car of the race and I followed him head on when I had to turn on the last turn. I am very upset. It took me like 20 seconds, I would have set the record, sure … It shouldn’t have happened. It’s my fault. It’s sad, but it happens “, assured the parathlete to CBS Boston. “I am happy about the race and my performance but also upset about the mistake”Hug added.

Hug has run the Boston Marathon eight times and has five victories. Likewise, he has won 12 great marathons between 2016 and 2019. He has also competed in The Paralympic Games obtaining two gold medals in Rio de Janeiro 2016. The Swiss parathlete has also participated in the World Athletics Championships, where he has won many races from 400m to the marathon.

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