The decision for the 26.2 mile course to be focussed on the centre of London, passing landmarks like St Paul’s Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament and Tower of London before finishing in the Mall with Buckingham Palace as its backdrop, has angered Host Boroughs Tower Hamlets and Newham, who have claimed that Coe is "ashamed" of the East End.

A petition has been started, a Facebook group launched and today a letter written by local MPs appeared in the Evening Standard hitting out at the decision.

But Coe, the chairman of London 2012, has made it clear that no amount of pressure is going to persuade him to change his mind.

"I know the disappointment this has caused," he told insidethegames.

"It's probably one of the toughest decisions I've had to make as my time as chairman of the Organising Committee."

The women's marathon, which is expected to feature Britain's world record holder Paula Radcliffe (pictured), is due to be held on Sunday August 5, the busiest day of the Olympics, while the men's is scheduled for August 12, the day of the Closing Ceremony when are also due to be several medal events.

Coe claimed that to ensure the smooth running of the Games the marathon had to avoid East London.

"This has not nothing to do with any thing other than the headache I've got of keeping London moving that day [August 5] with 12 Olympic sports," said Coe.

"This is day nine [of the Olympics] we have already dubbed this 'Super Sunday'.

"There are 24 medals being decided that day, there are 12 events, including the marathon.

"I've got to make sure that the athletes and spectactors involved in events that range as far apart and wide as Wimbledon, Wembley, Greenwich Park, Earls Court - plus a big chunk of activity in the Olympic Park as well - are actually able to get across London.

"If we have the marathon on that segment of the road [in East London], it's barely two miles [of the marathon course], it's probably about 12 minutes of activity on two days, [but] I have to close Tower Bridge and run the risk of bringing London to a standstill.

"Not only do I have to close Tower Bridge but I've got five other bridges leading up to Tower Bridge closed on that day as well because you can't have the marathon course being cut through by traffic.

"This is not a decision I've made in isolation.

"This is a decision I've made with Transport for London, Highways Agency, all the organisations you would expect me to sit down and work with.

"The risk attached is too big, if I'm honest."

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