State Government announces $50,000 grant to help secure future of City-Bay Fun Run after Westpac pulls financial support

SA’s biggest fun run will continue despite the loss of its major sponsor but organisers say government help will not be enough to save it from drastic cutbacks.

The City-Bay Fun Run has been saved but will be scaled back and prize money will likely be scrapped, race director Joe Stevens says.

The state government announced on Saturday it would chip in $50,000 towards the popular event, after The Advertiser revealed the race’s financial woes threatened its future.

The fun run had been in limbo after Westpac, which had been the naming-rights sponsor for the past six years, confirmed it was withdrawing its support for the race.

The move left the September 19 event about $200,000 out of pocket, and organisers had been scrambling to make up the shortfall.

The City-Bay’s running costs are about $1.2m.

City-Bay race director Joe Stevens

Prior to Saturday’s announcement, no government help had been offered to ensure the continuation of the event, despite heavy campaigning for funding by the organisers.

Sport Minister Corey Wingard said the government had been “working really closely with the City-Bay officials and I’m very pleased to announce that we are giving them a $50,000 grant to make sure it can go ahead this year”.

When contacted for comment about the grant, Mr Stevens said the government had not informed him about the funding.

“I’m happy if we do get it,” he said.

Mr Stevens said organisers were hopeful more sponsors would come on board to make up the remaining funding shortfall.

“We’re just going to have to look at the budget and start cutting stuff,” he said.

“Do we need so many toilets? Do we do prizemoney?”

Mr Stevens said it was almost certain that prizemoney would be axed.

He is appealing to the public to get behind this year’s event, saying each registration goes towards running costs. An extra 5000 participants would help cover costs, he said.

About 1800 registrations have been received so far.

City-Bay Fun Run on King William Road.

Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas had on Friday called on the government to contribute some money for the race.

“I welcome the government’s decision to change its mind and provide funding for the City-Bay, following pressure from the opposition and the media,” Mr Malinauskas said after the announcement.

“I hope this means we will see a successful City-Bay this year, and for many years to come.”

A spokeswoman for Westpac said the bank regularly reviewed its sponsorships.

“As part of this process we have made the decision not to continue our partnership of the City-Bay,” the spokeswoman said.

The City-Bay Fun Run is due to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2022.