And the Bathurst community should be very thankful for that.

When around 800 people turned out for this year’s Edgell Jog on a perfect spring morning a fortnight ago, there were genuine concerns about what that might mean for the event’s immediate future.

In the lead-up to the Jog, the Bathurst community had been warned that around 1000 joggers would be needed for the event to break even, let alone have some left over to distribute to local charities.

Now, though, it appears the situation is not quite as grim.

Increased support from Bathurst Regional Council and the continuing major sponsorship of Simplot has relieved much of the financial strain on the organisers and as long as that level of financial support continues, it seems the Jog will be able to survive.

The question, though, is can it ever really thrive again?

Long-time Bathurst residents can recall the heyday of the Edgell Jog when up to 2000 people would line up for the event each year.

Hundreds more would cheer them on from vantage points along the route, creating a carnival atmosphere and wonderful community spirit.

At the same time, there was also a serious race being run.

Through the 1980s and 1990s, many of Australia’s elite distance runners lined up for the Jog as a serious test of their fitness and form, not to mention the chance to win some useful prizemoney.

But today there are many more demands on our time and many more events for serious (and not so serious) runners to take part in.

The days of 2000 runners might be gone, but does Bathurst really want to settle for just 800 starters at the Jog each year?

As Edgell Jog treasurer Ray Stapley says, “this is part of what we do in Bathurst”.

The Edgell Jog has a proud past but its future relies on the Bathurst community – young and old – making the effort once a year to take part in the run.

If a new generation of participants cannot be found, the event risks becoming a mere shadow of what it used to be.

It might continue each year, but much if its lustre could be lost.

The Edgell Jog – and the committee that works so hard to make it a reality each year – deserves better.