A WORCESTER barmaid who ran the London Marathon in memory of her brother claimed she had been “called fat and slow” and “sprayed with road-cleaning chemicals” by contractors.

Michelle Scarrott, 37, has joined other runners who have hit out with similar claims about the handling of Sunday’s event in the capital.

Reports have emerged of competitors being barracked and laughed at while the course was being dismantled and roads cleaned before some of the backmarkers had finished.

Mrs Scarrott, who shed three stone in preparation and took part dressed in a tiger onesie and pink tutu, said she had put her “heart and soul into getting ready for this run” only to end up with a “nightmare” experience.

“I must say I have never been so abused and mistreated in my life,” she said.

“I was ahead of the two pacers when the abuse started. I was sprayed with road cleaning chemicals several times and called fat and slow by the clean-up crew. I was nearly ran over in front of my seven-year-old son.

“As I was running by the kerb to keep out of the way I fell over and injured my hip. I hobbled to the finish using Google Maps as I was not sure of the way.

“I struggled to find water and had to ask strangers and St John’s Ambulance for a drink.

“I was abused and laughed at and felt really bad. I was always the child watching the marathon hoping to one day run it, Sunday should have been a dream come true but it was a nightmare.”

Mrs Scarrott took part to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis Trust in memory of her brother, who died from the disease in 2007 aged 21.

Some £685 has been pledged but Mrs Scarrott was in no mood to celebrate.

“I was supposed to be having a party for him two days before my late dad’s birthday. Thank you Virgin London Marathon for making it so much harder,” she added.

Worcester News approached London Marathon Events for comment but received no reply from the media enquiries telephone line.