With Respect.

On Sunday, another amatuer jogger lost their life during the cruel race we know as The London Marathon. This is the eleventh participant who has died during this race since it's inception.

During the Marathon, 4,923 runners and members of the public needed assistance. In 2011, 6,000 needed help - many for heat exhaustion linked to the hot weather on the race day.

This is an unacceptable situation in 2012 and we should do all we can to prevent it happening again - it is inhumane to allow death and severe injuries to happen for the sake of 'fun' and 'charitable donations'.

I don't believe the race should be banned, but I propose that at the very least, the authorities should make some changes.

Firstly, the marathon is obviously too long and too dangerous for the competitors - it should be reduced in length by a minimum of 10 miles.

Secondly, it appears to get faster and faster every year. We need to slow it down by introducing chichanes, hurdles and those sticks that dogs go in and out of at Crufts.

Finally, despite the rain, the going was not soft enough. The whole course should have been watered and under a minimum of 150mm of water. I know that some people will say that it is an unfair advantage to those running in deep sea divers costumes of indeed those with flippers, snorkels and masks, but if that is the price we need to pay to make this race safer then so be it.