Edinburgh marathon misery as competitor medals run out

Runners in the Edinburgh marathon were left disappointed after several competitors did not receive a medal for crossing the finish line.

Organisers told a number of later finishers they would have to wait for a medal in the post after supplies ran out on Sunday.

More than 35,000 people were estimated to have participated in the popular run through the Scottish capital, despite torrential rain.

Edinburgh Marathon Festival apologised to those who missed out and said they “didn’t get the numbers quite right” when ordering medals.

Runner Caitlin Whitmore told BBC Scotland News that she was offered a nutrient bar instead of a medal when she finished the race.

Ms Whitmore, who has Crohn’s disease and fibromyalgia, joined other family members in the marathon.

She said she was the only one unable to display a medal in their group photo.

“With the amount of effort that you put in, that was what made it even more gutting, because I had nothing to show for it,” she said

An email sent by organisers Edinburgh Marathon Festival to runners who missed out promises that medals should arrive by the end of June or July.

Ms Whitmore said that by that time “the excitement will have passed a bit.”