McFadden makes history in Chicago with third marathon win of the year

By Gary Anderson

October 13 - Tatyana McFadden raced her way into the history books in Chicago by becoming the first wheelchair athlete in history to register three major marathon wins in one year, adding to her victories in Boston and London.

The 24-year-old cemented her place as arguably the pre-eminent Paralympic athlete of the last year by securing victory here in Chicago in a time of 1 hour 42min 35sec, just three seconds ahead of great rival Manuela Schaer of Switzerland and teammate Amanda McGrory in third, in what was an exciting finish to the race.

All three athletes were faster than the previous course record mark of 1:44:29, set by Ann Walters in 1992.

McFadden's win was her third consecutive victory in Chicago and the fourth in the last five years and now sets her up for a tilt at an unprecedented fourth major marathon win in New York City next month.

McFadden has had a remarkable year including winning six gold medals at the IPC Athletics World Championships in Lyon

"It really came down to a sprint," said McFadden, who's remarkable run of form continues, which has seen her claim three gold medals at London 2012 before taking six world titles at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletics World Championships in Lyon earlier this year.

"I didn't even know what was happening.

"My muscle memory was there and I knew I needed to go.

"The crowd just took me forward.

"It was extremely tough."

There was an even more thrilling end to the men's race as South Africa's Ernst Van Dyk, Kurt Fearnley of Australia and home favourite Josh George battled it out to the line in front of packed crowds lining the streets of the Windy City.

However, it was the nine-time Boston Marathon winner Van Dyk who edged home first in a time of 1:30:37, just one second ahead of his two rivals Fearnley, who won this year's London Marathon, and George, who finished second and third respectively, despite both clocking the same time of 1:30:38.