THE marathon route should stay in the East End.

That’s the view of Liberal Democrat John Griffiths, who is running for the role of Tower Hamlets first directly elected mayor.

“The Olympics are obviously a fantastic opportunity to show case the East End and it would be a huge disappointment if that was not taken advantage of.”

He added that Tower Hamlets crowds always line the route of the annual London Marathon when it passes through the streets of East London.

And Mr Griffiths said the Olympic authorities should stay true to the bid which promised regeneration of the East End.

“I don’t see why with 26 miles of running we can’t come up with a route that has a little bit of the host boroughs. Twenty-six miles is a long way.”