Derry City and Strabane District Council may reconsider a decision to run a half marathon from every year to every other year.
In September, the council announced that the Waterside Half Marathon was to alternate each year with the Strabane-Lifford Half Marathon in a bid to save money.
The Strabane-Lifford race was due to take place in 2024, with the Waterside event returning the following year.
The council’s annual budget for the two half marathons had decreased by £26,000 and without that required funding the events would need to alternate, councillors had been told.
Race organisers had criticised the decision to alternate the races and raised concerns that runner numbers could drop as a result.
At a meeting of the council’s business and culture committee on Tuesday, members heard proposals were now in place that could allow both events to take place in 2024.
The council’s head of culture at the council Aeidin McCarter said increased participant numbers and securing sponsors could make it possible to hold both races.
“Every effort will be made to increase participant numbers and if registrations could open as early as November 2023 it would allow this to be monitored closely in advance of the rates process,” she said.
“Officers are also talking to possible race sponsors for the 2024 events and are aiming to bring in additional revenue this thereby helping to reduce the risk.”
There is also a proposal that the registration fee be increased by £2 to £27 per person plus a booking fee.
A proposal is also being considered that the Strabane-Lifford Half Marathon add a relay race to raise more funds.
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