One of Fife’s foremost sporting events is in jeopardy following a critical shortage of volunteers.
Organisers of the Glenrothes Road Running Festival have said that there is “real concern” that this year’s event will be cancelled after an initial appeal for helpers struggled to reach the required numbers.
Scores of volunteers are required to administer the route throughout the town’s streets, with the organising committee having been hopeful of capitalising on the excitement generated by last summer’s London Olympics.
However, with just two months to go before the starter’s gun is scheduled to be fired, they now admit that cancelling the festival for the first time in its 31-year history is a very real possibility.
Ed Wallace, chairman of the festival’s organising committee, said: “When we announced that this year’s event was being held we appealed for more volunteers to come forward, but sadly the response has been negligible.
“There is now real concern that the festival will have to be cancelled for the first time in its history unless we can reach the numbers we need to make sure that the route is adequately supervised to ensure the smooth running of the event.
“Much has been said and written in the past about their contribution to the success of last year’s Olympics in London, and the vital part they will play in next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, but for now at least, it appears volunteers are in short supply in Fife.
“We are now in desperate need for more people to come forward to help make our wonderful event a success, as without them our task is made almost impossible.”
Thousands of elite, club and amateur athletes take to the roads of Glenrothes every year for the festival, which features a 10k road race as its highlight, along with a number of other running events.
It started its life as a half-marathon before evolving into a fully-fledged running festival in 1991 and attracts entrants from all over the United Kingdom.
As well as the competitive element, thousands of pounds are raised for charity by runners wishing to aid good causes.
While entries for this year’s event are said to be as high as ever, the streets of Glenrothes may be occupied by cars instead of runners on the morning of June 23, if volunteers to help run the event cannot be found.
“Stewards are vital along the route,” explained secretary Aileen Penny.
“We need as many as possible to line the streets to make sure that the safety and well-being of those taking part can be assured. We have a core of long-standing volunteers but at this moment we still require so many more.
“We are looking for people over 16 and if there are any Scout or Guide Groups, Rotary or Round Tables, or indeed any similar organizations or like-minded individuals out there who think they might be able to help we would be delighted to hear from them and we will be pleased to make a donation to them in return for their support.”
Anybody willing to help with this year’s event is being asked to contact organisers via email rr.festival@fife.gov.uk.