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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| London Marathon changes after runners called fat and slow | London Marathon changes after runners called fat and slow |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Hundreds of runners who were shouted at for being too slow during this year's London Marathon have been given free entry to next year's event. | Hundreds of runners who were shouted at for being too slow during this year's London Marathon have been given free entry to next year's event. |
| Some runners said they were also called "fat" by contractors who had started to clear up while they were still running. | Some runners said they were also called "fat" by contractors who had started to clear up while they were still running. |
| Others said the course was being dismantled while they were running meaning they could not see where to go. | Others said the course was being dismantled while they were running meaning they could not see where to go. |
| London Marathon has apologised and said it would make changes to ensure this would not happen again. | London Marathon has apologised and said it would make changes to ensure this would not happen again. |
| The affected runners were those running at a pace of 7.5 hours. | The affected runners were those running at a pace of 7.5 hours. |
| Liz Ayres, who was asked to run the course in that time to aid participants, has previously said that despite running at the requested speed, the clean-up operation had begun around her and other runners and they had been "told to hurry up". | Liz Ayres, who was asked to run the course in that time to aid participants, has previously said that despite running at the requested speed, the clean-up operation had begun around her and other runners and they had been "told to hurry up". |
| She said abuse had also been directed towards them by official marathon representatives, such as cleaning contractors and marshals. | She said abuse had also been directed towards them by official marathon representatives, such as cleaning contractors and marshals. |
| This included comments such as "if you weren't so fat, you could run," and "this is a race, not a walk". | This included comments such as "if you weren't so fat, you could run," and "this is a race, not a walk". |
| 'Have another go' | 'Have another go' |
| Kerrie Aldridge, from Cardiff, who finished last in this year's marathon, has been offered a place for next year. | Kerrie Aldridge, from Cardiff, who finished last in this year's marathon, has been offered a place for next year. |
| She took nine hours and 11 minutes to complete the route and said she was "sniggered" at by stewards. | She took nine hours and 11 minutes to complete the route and said she was "sniggered" at by stewards. |
| She said: "When I finished I was thinking 'I'm never going to do it again' but now I would love to have another go. | She said: "When I finished I was thinking 'I'm never going to do it again' but now I would love to have another go. |
| "I'm partly waiting for the backlash from people saying I don't deserve it. | "I'm partly waiting for the backlash from people saying I don't deserve it. |
| "But I'll be there on the start line. I will train as hard as I can to prove I do deserve a place." | "But I'll be there on the start line. I will train as hard as I can to prove I do deserve a place." |
| 'Made mistakes' | 'Made mistakes' |
| Following an investigation, London Marathon has said it will | Following an investigation, London Marathon has said it will |
| Sarah Pringle, who had cleaning fluid sprayed on her foot, said she thought the changes London Marathon was implementing were "amazing". | |
| "I think they've done everything they could possibly do. All we wanted to do was make them realise that they'd made mistakes and that they don't make them again." | "I think they've done everything they could possibly do. All we wanted to do was make them realise that they'd made mistakes and that they don't make them again." |
| This year's marathon was completed by a record 42,549 runners. | This year's marathon was completed by a record 42,549 runners. |