The London Marathon is to feature an increase in wheelchair tennis prize money ©Getty Images

The 2022 London Marathon is to give the largest prize purse in wheelchair racing history, with an increase of more than 25 per cent from 2021.

This year, the prize money has increased to $199,500 (£168,000/€196,000), a rise of $57,800 (£48,600/€56,800).

Defending champions Marcel Hug and Manuela Schär from Switzerland are in the line-up for this year's men's and women's races.

Paralympic marathon winner Madison de Rozario from Australia and eight-time London Marathon champion, Britain's David Weir, are also due to feature.

The new structure includes increased prize money for each of the top 10 finishers, with additional bonuses available for course records.

British marathon great David Weir is on the entry list for the London Marathon ©Getty Images
British marathon great David Weir is on the entry list for the London Marathon ©Getty Images

"For the London Marathon to be taking a stand and increasing prize money for wheelchair athletes is really powerful and sets a benchmark for all sports globally," said Weir.

"I really appreciate, and forever will, what the London Marathon is doing for the men's and women's wheelchair divisions."

Each of the race winners is to receive $35,000 (£29,400/€34,400), with second-place finishers taking $20,000 (£16,800/€19,700) and third winning $15,000 (£12,600/€14,700).

Others entered for this year's marathons include German teenager Merle Menje, 2020 champion Nikita den Boer from The Netherlands and four-time London Marathon winner Tatyana McFadden from the United States, in the women's race.

American 2019 winner Daniel Romanchuk is on the start list for the men's race with Hug and Weir.

The London Marathon is scheduled to take place on October 2.