It was one of the city’s most-awaited events, but participants were made to run ragged by an unforeseen impediment. Plastic bottles strewn all over on the Worli side of the sea link might be a familiar sight these days, but these discarded vessels were a major hurdle in the way of athletes at the 11th Mumbai Marathon yesterday.

During the race, contestants had to constantly sidestep these bottles scattered on the route. The area had already become congested, as the full and half marathon participants ran concurrently. MiD DAY spoke to a few runners who found the experience decidedly uncomfortable.