Joanna Pine was caught on camera earlier this year in Plymouth, Devon, during Britain’s Ocean City Half Marathon, driving through the traffic restrictions into the runners.
To avoid the chaos happening again, Plymouth City Council have announced major changes for the running of next year's race, in a bit to prevent a repeat of the chaos that ensued as Ms Pine drove into the race. It emerged that some blocks of flats with controlled access were missed from a mail drop informing residents of the race, so all flyers will be delivered by Royal Mail next year.
The council's deputy leader Peter Smith said: "The organisers are also looking at windows of egress for residents within this area and revisiting the traffic management plan for any future event in consultation with the highways team."
Runners shocked as woman ignores road restrictions and drives her car into half-marathon BBC in an interview earlier this year that she regretted her actions, admitting: "I should have parked the car and tried to find someone and said 'Is there a chance I can slip out?'
"That's hindsight. There was better ways to have handled it."
Image: BBC
She said in the interview although she knew about the race, leaflets were not distributed to those who lived along the route, leaving her unsure whether or not she could leave her home.
Pine has been widely criticised for her actions on Sunday, with Local MP Luke Pollard saying it was "very silly" in light of recent terror attacks where cars have been used as weapons.
In a video from the event, a spectator can be seen trying to stop the car, as Pine drives out in front of runners down the closed road. As she continues to drive she can be heard in the video saying “I’m going very slowly.”
Runners can be seen stopping and talking to Pine, before Plymouth City council officials stop the car. Pine can be heard saying “I have tried to get to every which way. I have a workshop in Okehampton. I have had no information…I went very slowly.” Then telling the council officers to phone the workshop to tell them she would be late.
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Like with many organised events, the roads around Plymouth were closed between 4am to 3pm on Sunday, to allow runners to tackle the 13.1 miles safely. The closures had been advertised beforehand to ensure drivers were well aware of the procedures.
Runners have taken to twitter to condemn the driver, one writing “she should have her license taken away, she’s not fit to be driving, I’m shocked she thought she could justify her stupidity.” One of these was Team GB sprint hurdler David King, who tweeted "why do some people think they are above the law and everyone else?"
Despite the event, plenty of runners completed the marathon in warm conditions, with Ben Neale winning the race, crossing the finish line in 1.13.12.