Coronavirus SA: City-Bay Fun Run at grave risk as SA Health COVID-19 crowd cap ‘makes event unviable’

The coronavirus pandemic may have wrought its misery on another major South Australian event. Organisers say the City-Bay Fun Run will be unviable unless the current crowd cap is lifted.

The start of the 12km City to Bay run in Adelaide. Picture: Matt Loxton

The state’s biggest fun run is at risk of being cancelled for the first time in its history due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Westpac City-Bay Fun Run will be scrapped unless SA Health allows more entrants.

In the latest major community event cancelled or significantly curtailed due to COVID-19 restrictions, health authorities have allowed fewer than half of the requested number of participants for the November 8 run.

Organisers want 15,000, but SA Health’s limit is 7000.

Medical experts say the virus can easily be transmitted through high-risk physical activity, such as running in close proximity to others.

But organisers say the updated parameters will make the not-for-profit event “unviable”, forcing cancellation unless new sponsors are found or the State Government provides financial help.

Officials say having a reduced event would leave volunteer organisers, through a charitable trust, out of pocket more than $500,000.

The event – Australia’s largest per capita that attracts up to 40,000 runners, joggers or walkers – was delayed by a month for the Sydney 2000 Olympics but has never been cancelled in its 48-year history.

Chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier with her dog Daisy at Belair National Park. Organisers say she could lead the event. Picture: Matt Turner

City-Bay Fun Run chairman Kym Freer told the Sunday Mail countless volunteers and supporters had worked to the point of exhaustion trying to make the event viable by working through various options.

He hoped SA Health would revise its cap as a “reward for the community’s hard work” and use the event as a “beacon of hope” which could be led by chief public health officer Nicola Spurrier, a keen runner.

Mr Freer stressed it was the committee’s goal to manage a “safe and responsible” community event.

“We are passionate about the event and are community-minded volunteers and it is unfortunate, in its current situation, it won’t go ahead,” he said. “We certainly don’t want to put people at risk but we think we can run the event safely at the number we have proposed. But we will, of course, adhere to any ruling from the health experts.

“We would like to run an event to give the state something to reward our efforts for being COVID-safe over a long period of time.”

Hundreds of people have already registered but, if the run is cancelled, any fees paid will either be refunded or used as payment for next year.

In their COVID management plans, City-Bay officials had requested up to 15,000 people be allowed to head from the CBD to Glenelg.

The event’s board said this number would allow various costs to be covered including road closures, essential event infrastructure and insurance.

A host of initiatives were floated including all event staff wearing special protective gear and staggered start times to maintain social distancing.

Mr Freer said a virtual event was unlikely or would be a choice of last resort.

Former winner Jessica Stenson (nee Trengove) said she was disappointed but said community safety came first. Picture: Tom Huntley

SA Health has told organisers that, at this stage, approval would be given for 7000 entrants.

Authorities will allow 5000 people to enter the 12km race and a further 2000 entrants would be able to tackle the 21.1km half-marathon route.

“We have presented numerous alternatives and proposals to SA Health but none seem to be acceptable to them at the moment,” Mr Freer said.

Olympic runner and former City-Bay winner Jess Stenson, 33, said it would be disappointing not to have the event this year but community safety had to come first.

She hoped it could be safely organised.

“It is just one of those years given the uncertainty,” she said. “I think when the Olympics were postponed, that was a big sign of what was to come. One of the things I have learned as an athlete is not to plan for anything to be in concrete. I have loved running in it since I was 15.

“I would certainly be disappointed to not have the opportunity to run it, but the health and wellbeing of people is the first priority.”

The City-Bay committee earlier this year liaised with the South Australian Tourism Commission, councils and major contractors to reschedule the event for November 8 from the traditional third Sunday in September.

More than 40,000 people enter the event every year. Picture: Calum Robertson

In a statement, an SA Health spokeswoman said no plans had been finalised.

“We are in ongoing discussions with City-Bay organisers around how the event can take place safely,” she said.

“We know that physical activity such as running in proximity to others for ongoing periods of time poses a high risk for spread of COVID-19 due to aerosol generated transmission.

“We will continue to work with the organisers to ensure any plans protect the health and wellbeing of all South Australians.”

The City-Bay Fun Run was established in 1973 by Bob Clarke. The Sunday Mail was one of its first sponsors.

Current State Government rules ban large gatherings unless approved by SA Health.