BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 11: Marcel Hug of Switzerland crosses the finish line to win the men’s wheelchair race during the 125th Boston Marathon on October 11, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Marcel Hug, the defending champion in the men's wheelchair race, has withdrawn from the Boston Marathon.
Hug, of Switzerland, made the announcement just hours before the start of the race. No reason was given for his withdrawal.
WATCH ANYTIME FOR FREE
 |
Stream NBC10 Boston news for free, 24/7, wherever you are. |
Sho Watanabe of Japan also withdrew. Watanabe finished ninth at last year’s Boston Marathon.
Get updates on what's happening in Boston to your inbox. Sign up for our News Headlines newsletter.
Get updates on what's happening in Boston to your inbox. Sign up for our News Headlines newsletter.
Hug is the reigning men’s wheelchair division champion, five-time Boston winner, and course record holder. Hug won the marathon last year despite making a wrong turn in the final mile, finishing the slightly detoured route just seven seconds off his course record.
Hug, who has raced Boston eight times and has five victories here, cost himself a $50,000 course record bonus when he missed the second-to-last turn, following the lead vehicle instead of turning from Commonwealth Avenue onto Hereford Street.
