London Marathon organisers investigate reports of staff abusing runners
The organisers of the London Marathon are investigating reports contractors and volunteers abused runners during the race.
One of the pacers has accused them of treating runners of treating “horrifically” as they ran the race.
Liz Ayres was pacing the 7.5 hour time, aiding runners taking part on the 26.2 mile course around central London.
She said that while they were running, they were called “fat” and “slow” by some of the race’s contractors and volunteer marshals as well as the clean up operation taking place around them.
She reported comments "If you weren't so fat, you could run," and: "This is a race, not a walk."
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It’s the first time the London marathon has included a pacer for those running at a pace slower than six hours, aiming to make it more inclusive.
With around 200 runners finishing at the same time or later than Ayres, the clean up of the course had already begun, with some told they needed to “hurry up”.
She said that the abuse directed at the runners had reduced some to tears, and that other pacers had reported the same behaviour.
"The 6.5-hour pacer said she experienced this, too," said Ayres.
"If you look at the timings of people who finished, that means about 1,000 people were affected.
"That's almost one in every 40 runners."
Another woman told the BBC that a blister she developed while running had turned into a chemical burn, possibly from the clean up operation.
Ayres said as they crossed Tower Bridge they had to dodge around sewage collection lorries and run through chemical cleaning spray.
She also said that water stations were packed away as early as the three mile mark, and that a call to organisers to report the matter saw her accused of lying.
London Marathon have said they are looking into the matter and have started a full investigation.
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