London Marathon runners who were called “fat” and “slow” by officials, cleaning staff and spectators have been given free entry to next year’s race.

Organisers have apologised to the 678 participants who finished in over seven hours and announced changes to the event in a bid to prevent the abuse.

Runners had complained that they were insulted and forced to dodge clean-up lorries as contractors began dismantling the course while they were still trying to reach the finish line.

Liz Ayres, who was aiming to get round in seven-and-a-half hours, said the comments included “this is a race, not a walk”.

Another person told her: “If you weren’t so fat, you could run.”

The best fancy dress costumes from the London Marathon 2019 Show all 14 1 /14 The best fancy dress costumes from the London Marathon 2019 The best fancy dress costumes from the London Marathon 2019 A runner in fancy dress mixes with other runners recovering after running the 2019 London Marathon in central London on April 28, 2019. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) / Restricted to editorial use - sponsorship of content subject to LMEL agreement. (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images The best fancy dress costumes from the London Marathon 2019 Runners in fancy dress during the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon. PA Wire/PA Images The best fancy dress costumes from the London Marathon 2019 Runners in fancy dress during the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon. PA Wire/PA Images The best fancy dress costumes from the London Marathon 2019 A woman dressed as Wonder Woman recovers after running the 2019 London Marathon in central London on April 28, 2019. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) / Restricted to editorial use - sponsorship of content subject to LMEL agreement. (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images The best fancy dress costumes from the London Marathon 2019 A man with a rhino-themed costume runs across Tower Bridge as he competes in the 2019 London Marathon in central London on April 28, 2019. (Photo by Tolga Akmen / AFP) / Restricted to editorial use - sponsorship of content subject to LMEL agreement. (Photo credit should read TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images The best fancy dress costumes from the London Marathon 2019 Runners in fancy dress cross the line during the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon. PA Wire/PA Images The best fancy dress costumes from the London Marathon 2019 A man with a telephone themed costume runs across Tower Bridge as he competes in the 2019 London Marathon in central London on April 28, 2019. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP) / Restricted to editorial use - sponsorship of content subject to LMEL agreement. (Photo credit should read TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images The best fancy dress costumes from the London Marathon 2019 A man with a Paddington bear-themed costume runs across Tower Bridge as he competes in the 2019 London Marathon in central London on April 28, 2019. (Photo by Tolga Akmen / AFP) / Restricted to editorial use - sponsorship of content subject to LMEL agreement. (Photo credit should read TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images The best fancy dress costumes from the London Marathon 2019 Runners in fancy dress during the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon. PA Wire/PA Images The best fancy dress costumes from the London Marathon 2019 A man with a beer-themed costume runs across Tower Bridge as he competes in the 2019 London Marathon in central London on April 28, 2019. (Photo by Tolga Akmen / AFP) / Restricted to editorial use - sponsorship of content subject to LMEL agreement. (Photo credit should read TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images The best fancy dress costumes from the London Marathon 2019 LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Philip Rose competes at the Virgin London Marathon 2019 on April 28, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images) Getty Images The best fancy dress costumes from the London Marathon 2019 A man dressed as Superman recovers after running the 2019 London Marathon in central London on April 28, 2019. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) / Restricted to editorial use - sponsorship of content subject to LMEL agreement. (Photo credit should read BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images The best fancy dress costumes from the London Marathon 2019 Competitors run across Tower Bridge as they compete in the 2019 London Marathon in central London on April 28, 2019. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP) / Restricted to editorial use - sponsorship of content subject to LMEL agreement. (Photo credit should read TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images The best fancy dress costumes from the London Marathon 2019 A man with a Jesus-themed costume runs across Tower Bridge as he competes in the 2019 London Marathon in central London on April 28, 2019. (Photo by Tolga Akmen / AFP) / Restricted to editorial use - sponsorship of content subject to LMEL agreement. (Photo credit should read TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images) AFP/Getty Images

After the abuse, she said: “I had runners that were crying – ones saying they were going to go home and quit.”

Course markings, timing mats and water stations were also taken away, she added.

One runner tweeted to say she was “insulted by marshals, sprayed with cleaning chemicals, nearly being taken out by a bin lorry and made to feel like a failure before you’ve even reached the halfway point”.

Others reported suffering a chemical burn and being hit by rubbish.

Following the complaints, London Marathon Events launched an investigation based on online surveys, telephone interviews and CCTV footage.

In an email to the participants, the company said the investigation was unable to identify the “very small number of volunteers and contractors” who were “shouting unhelpful comments to slower runners”.

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It added: “A number of participants reported being sprayed by a cleaning vehicle on the Highway and near Canary Wharf and there were also reports and film evidence of aggressive driving by one clean-up vehicle. Further work is ongoing to identify the driver of the vehicle and the evidence will then be passed to the police.”

Some water station volunteers “may not have been as attentive as we would like” in handing out liquids to the slower runners, it added.

Organisers also admitted they failed to order enough large and medium-size finisher t-shirts and too many extra-small and small t-shirts.

The changes being introduced for next year’s race include appointing a senior staff member to monitor the back of the race and providing detailed instructions on the procedures for runners who expect to finish in over seven-and-a-half hours.

London Marathon Events said it would consider starting the clean-up operation later but stated that it was under “huge pressure” to reopen the roads quickly.

“We are sorry that your Race Day experience was not to the standard we set ourselves,” the email adds. “As a result we would be delighted to invite you to be part of the 40th Race Day.”

All runners who finished the 2019 race in over seven hours will be able to claim free entry to the 2019 event.