Dozens of people were seen swarming around a water station as they loaded litres of Buxton water into trolleys while runners still went past
This is the shocking moment people armed with shopping trolleys took trays of bottled water intended for London Marathon runners in a shameful frenzy.
Dozens of people swarmed around water stations at the side of the 26.2-mile route in Deptford, South East London, as they loaded litres of Buxton water into their bags.
Runners near the end of the 40,000 crowd could be seen still passing through the part of the route, which is near the start of the race, as scenes of chaos unfolded at the sides of the road.
Bystanders including children could be seen reaching into crates filled with multipacks of bottled water and putting them into three-wheel shopping trolleys, large plastic shopping bags and even on top of pushchairs.
The Buxton water marshalls seemed helpless as people pushed over the top of each other grabbing what they could.
Hugh Brasher, event director for London Marathon Events, said: "It's very disappointing to see water being stolen in this way from the official water stations for our runners.
"These water stations are staffed by volunteers and we are very grateful to them for their work on Race Day.
"We always brief our volunteers not to get into altercations if this kind of thing happens. We'll investigate this further.”
London Marathon organisers said there was "plenty of water available for runners" at all the drinks stations.
They said any spare water is brought back to be used at other events.
Filming the moment appeared to be one the water station volunteers, thought to be Mark Hudson, who sarcastically said the water supply hadn't reached the area yet in a Facebook post.
Speaking in the video he said: "Obviously hard times in Deptford.
"Although the last coach has gone past, so the marathon runners are on their own, it's quite a sad state."
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More than 37,000 runners took part in the race today, with several records broken.
In the elite men's race Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge successfully defended his 2015 title, completing the course in a record time, while fellow Kenyan Jemima Sumgong won the elite women's race.
Astronaut Tim Peake was one of scores of entrants attempting to break Guinness World Records this year as fun runners took part in an event that attracts elite athletes and fundraisers alike.
There are 70 years between the oldest and youngest runners in this year's race.
Race veteran Iva Barr, 88, from Bedford is running her 20th London Marathon, while Rebecca Manners from Manningtree in Essex is celebrating her 18th birthday by running the route alongside her parents.
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The marathon's chosen charity for next year was announced on Sunday as competitors set off.
Heads Together, which will take over from the NSPCC, is made up of a team of mental health charities which have been brought together by The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, who is patron of the London Marathon Charitable Trust.
Runners set off from Blackheath and Greenwich Park, running a route lined with supporters, and finish on The Mall.
