Thieves run off with 6,000 water bottles for marathon

Published on Wednesday 3 June 2009 01:07

THOUSANDS of bottles of water meant for runners taking part in the Edinburgh Marathon were stolen before the event.

Organisers said they reported the theft of more than 6,000 water bottles from two stations that left participants without adequate supplies during the race on Sunday. The theft is thought to have taken place in the early hours before the race started, but the report was officially made to Lothian and Borders Police only yesterday.

The bottles were said to be taken from two water stations at the furthest point of the marathon course in Gosford. Police and support vehicles were organised to replenish supplies when it was discovered the stations had been left dry for 40 minutes.

Lothian and Borders Police said yesterday: "We can confirm that we are looking into a report of the theft of a large quantity of liquid items, and further inquiries are ongoing."

The Edinburgh Marathon's race director, Neil Kilgour, said:

"We are furious that someone would steal water and energy gels from marathon runners on a hot day."