Many of the runners went home without a medal

Some 20,000 charity runners took to the streets of the city, but the start was delayed for an hour and many runners were stranded at park-and-ride sites.

Additionally many competitors went home with no medals while other allegedly helped themselves to two.

Organiser Andrew Taylor said: "We've shown over the years that we can deliver a safe event."

Former middle distance runner Dominic Croft told BBC News organisers had allowed too many runners to participate in the race.

'Constant overtaking'

He said: "It's too much when it's one lap, but when it's two laps there's constant overtaking people who are walking - it's just not good enough."

Mr Taylor said the poor weather conditions had not helped the situation.

"Like other prestigious events in the area we've been affected by some pretty appalling weather in the lead up to the event, " he said.

"All the buses that the council has were deployed at the park and rides as far as I understand, they did the best they could under the circumstances.

"This is not a profit-making event. In terms of medals we had far more medals here than we actually had runners on the day, but some people went home with two and some people went home with none."