Nearly 2,000 delegates from various organisations, including voluntary groups, churches, mosques and youth clubs across London, backed the plan at the London Citizens Annual Assembly in Walthamstow. 

The People's Marathon ideal is being set up by Telco, The East London Citizens Organisation, in partnership with the East London Advertiser newspaper

Bethan Lant, who has run in the London Marathon, is chairing a group tasked with coming up with more details.

"The whole of East London is bitterly disappointed that the route has been switched," she told the Assembly.

"The East End is good enough for the London Marathon each year - so why isn't it good enough for the Olympics marathon?"

The proposed People's 'alternative' would run from The Mall through the City, Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Newham "ending up where it should" at the Olympics Stadium.

Earlier this month Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman, threatened London 2012 organisers with High Court action for breaching their pledge to run the marathon through East London.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Tower Hamlets as a Host Borough," he said.

"Some people won't get the chance to see the events apart from the marathon which would inspire the next generation."

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