A Blackfalds town councillor is hoping that the annual Fun Run will still be held this year, by someone.

The town has been organizing the event since 2015 but could cancel it to focus on the Super Kids Triathlon.

“It’s something that’s important to the town, especially considering we have so many fantastic trail systems that are being underutilized,” said Coun. Rebecca Stendie.

“If there’s a way that another volunteer organization can use this as a fundraiser, I think it’s a good idea to pass it along instead of letting it fall to the wayside.”

Administration is in talks with past organizer Carol Simpson as well as community groups, including the Dual Ice Development Society, to gauge interest in taking over the run.

If so, the town would play a facilitator’s role in organizing, Stendie said.

It takes up to 80 volunteers to host the Fun Run, according to administration.

Stendie said Blackfalds, with its population of young families, struggles with volunteer turnout. She believes community groups would be able to draw on their own established networks.

“I think it would be beneficial because they already have volunteers in place and we’re not having to struggle to try and find them on their own,” she said.

Last year’s run drew 97 participants. Stendie asserts that number was an anomaly due to a more popular running event being held in Red Deer at the same time.

She said the event had 175 runners as recently as 2016, comparable to the historical average.

The first Fun Run was started in 2010 by the Blackfalds Octagon Club and Blackfalds Youth Optimist Club.

“It brings families together in the spirit of physical activity. It gives them something to do on the weekend. It brings communities together,” Stendie said.