Marcel Hug Ruled Winner of 2016 Chicago Marathon Men's Wheelchair Race After Stunning Photo Finish
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After a stunning photo finish, Marcel Hug talks to NBC Chicago about his first Chicago Marathon win.
Marcel Hug, aka the “silver bullet,” has been ruled the winner of the 2016 Bank of America Chicago Marathon men’s wheelchair race Sunday after an official review of a stunning photo finish.
Hug, who beat out defending champion Kurt Fearnley, crossed the finish line with a lead of less than a second. Initially, results indicated Fearnley claimed victory, but after checking the tapes, race officials ruled Hug the winner.
"It was a crazy finish," Hug said. "I never [had] that close finish ever. It was so close."
Marc Schulman
McCraney, Lacey (NBCUniversal)
Runner stops for a picture
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Batman in Lakeview
Zach Christman
Here's a photo of the Chicago Marathon from the start.
Zach Christman
Zach Christman
Zach Christman
Zach Christman
McCraney, Lacey (NBCUniversal)
Lake View
McCraney, Lacey (NBCUniversal)
Lakeview signs
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Lakeview signs
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Dog watches the Chicago Marathon in Lake View
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We found Waldo!
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We found Waldo!
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Lakeview sign
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Go Cubs Go from Lakeview
Zach Christman
Zach Christman
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Abel Kirul of Kenya reacts after winning the men's race at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 9, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
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Thousands of runners take off from Monroe street and head up Columbus Drive for the start of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 9, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
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Kurt Fearnley of Australia second place winner and Marcel Hug of Switzerland first place winner in the mens wheelchair race at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 9, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
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Tatyanna McFadden of the USA wins the women's wheelchair race at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 9, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
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Florence Kiplagat of Kenya celebrate after winning the women's race at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 9, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
It was the first close finish for Hug who started his racing season with a pair of victories in Boston and London, winning each race by just one second. Hug competed in his first Chicago Marathon last year, edging out 2014 champion Josh George for second place, also in a photo finish. He completed his 2015 season with a third place finish in New York behind Ernst Van Dyk and George.
Hug is a two-time Paralympian who took home four medals in the Rio Games. He is also the 2013 IPC World Championships Marathon gold medalist.
Sunday's victory marks his first Chicago Marathon win.
