Weir becomes 1st wheelchair racer to do sub-3-minute mile

Weir finished the Westminster Mile in a time of 2 minutes, 57 seconds, beating his previous best by six seconds. (Emilio Morenatti/AP)

LONDON — Six-time Paralympic gold-medallist David Weir became the first wheelchair racer to complete a mile in under three minutes on Sunday.

Weir finished the Westminster Mile in a time of 2 minutes, 57 seconds, beating his previous best by six seconds.

Weir, who has won the London Marathon six times, said "I’ve always said I could do it."

Roger Bannister, who in 1954 was the first man to run a mile in under four minutes, sent Weir "all my congratulations for his huge achievement."

Sportsnet.ca no longer supports comments.