Organisers of the Rotary Westbury Fun Run announced last month that the event would not return for its 18^th instalment, citing possible liability and other commitments as major factors in the decision.

The September race has typically drawn crowds of between 200 and 300 to the Westbury Recreation Ground for 4-kilometre and 8-kilometre events.

Proceeds from the event have been spread far and wide over the race’s 17-year history, with funds being donated to a host of charities including Global Polio Eradication campaign, Wildlife Rescue and Second Bite.

Westbury Rotary treasurer Barry Pearn said while organisers were disappointed to call off this year’s race, there was a chance the event could make a return in the future.

“The Rotary Club are disappointed to discontinue the fun run but it was felt that the work involved in staging the fun run was too much for the amount of funds raised,” Mr Pearn said.

“Concerns about safety of runners in traffic on the streets and the associated risks were also a major factor in that decision. 

 “At this stage, the decision is to not hold a fun run this year but that may be reconsidered in respect of future years.”

Mr Pearn said the event had begun in 1998 as a warm-up to what has become the state’s premier fun run. 

“At that time the Burnie Ten was about the only such event around and then then-Rotarian Ellis Shaw, who had participated in that event, proposed to the Rotary Club that we could hold a fun run that would be a warm-up event for runners preparing for Burnie.”

The Westbury Rotary Club will now turn its attention to other commitments such as its Australia Day breakfast and catering at Agfest.

Preparations are also well under way for the club’s second car show, after a debut show was held with great success in March. 

The next show will be held at the Westbury Showgrounds on October 23.

For more information on the car show, visit the club’s Facebook page or contact David Lee on 0408747374.