Dubai floods leave London Marathon runner stranded

Flooding in Dubai caused by torrential rain
Twice the UAE's annual rainfall fell in a single day [Reuters]

A runner scheduled to take part in the London Marathon said she has been stranded in the Middle East by the Dubai floods.

The country's heaviest rainfall since 1949 has caused major problems for transport.

Alice Bugeja, from Bognor Regis, West Sussex, said she is currently trying to get back to the UK in time for Sunday's event by travelling via a non-direct route.

In a post on Instagram, she said she has lost all her luggage at Dubai airport, including her running gear.

Alice, along with her father John, is planning to take part in the marathon to raise money for the MS Society.

She described the situation as "a rollercoaster of emotions".

Alice in Dubai
Alice Bugeja has been training for the London Marathon while in Dubai [Alice Bugeja/Instagram]

She wrote: "Spent 14 hours at the airport, with the flight time constantly moving back every hour, we think only 5 flights left (on Wednesday) and there was no staff in sight all day to ask what was going on.

"Flight got cancelled.

"Were told by Emirates there was no more availability on flight to the UK this week so changed our flight to Barcelona, wanted to just get closer to the UK then figure it out."

In a video she said she was "trying to stay really positive" and had "everything crossed that we make it tomorrow".

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