THE cost of anti-terror measures to protect runners from possible attacks by vehicles will stop the 2019 Bendigo Bank Fun Run from going ahead.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The event has been running for the past 12 years as Bendigo Health Foundation's major yearly fundraiser.
It is the first time the anti-terror steps have been required.
Bendigo Health fundraising advisory board chair Scott Elkington said a course of its size, which used public roads, was difficult and costly to secure.
He said the cost of implementing new anti-terror measures meant the event was not feasible as a fundraiser.
The time required to set up and pack down barriers was another consideration.
"We are disappointed that this great event is being cancelled but safety is the number one priority," Mr Elkington said.
The fun run was planned for November and registrations were to open this month.
Last year's fun run attracted more than 2000 participants and raised more than $86,000.
The event was to include a relay and runs of 21.1 kilometres, 15 kilometres, 10 kilometres and five kilometres.
This year, the focus of the run's fundraising efforts was to be Bendigo Health's mental health services.
Mr Elkington thanked the event's sponsors for their support, particularly naming sponsor Bendigo Bank and the City of Greater Bendigo.
"A special thank you all our volunteers and our long time course director, Hunter Gill, who worked tirelessly for many years to create a great course and a wonderful event for our community," he said.
He said there were a number of other fundraising ideas to ensure the foundation could buy specialised equipment for the hospital.
Bendigo Bank sponsored the event. A spokesperson said the bank had supported the fun run for more than a decade.
"While we respect the decision and are disappointed the event has been cancelled, we look forward to continuing to support the Bendigo Health Fundraising Advisory Board and Bendigo Health patients through other initiatives such as Bendigo Bank House," the spokesperson said.
Mr Elkington said the fundraising team would soon launch a new raffle via its Facebook page to raise money.