After a disastrous 18 months for the events industry, Paul Humphreys says he's taking "a leap of faith" in trying to pull together a running event in Newcastle in just four weeks.
Athletes will have the chance to take a stroll around the foreshore over five or 10 kilometres for 'Recovery Run Newcastle' on November 14.
While some industries have jumped straight back in when lockdowns end, Mr Humphreys says it has been difficult for his sport events company H Events to do so when planning needs to be done months in advance.
He believes he has had to cancel about 20 events since the pandemic began.
"It has been one thing to close your doors but what we have to do is anticipate four and five months ahead," he said. "It seems like I've been working the whole time to plan the events then just cancel them."
The business lost about $20,000 on unusable medals and bibs when NewRun had to be cancelled last year.
And even those that have gone ahead have had their restraints. Two weeks out from a cycling event in Wollombi last year, the NSW government announced Sydney people could no longer travel to the regions - meaning half the field couldn't attend.
"We refunded them then two days before the event the rule changed and they were allowed to come," he said. "We're not in any way bitter about the government's decision because it was for health reasons, but it was a nightmare for us."
For this reason, Mr Humphreys says he's nervous about Recovery Run Newcastle, but he's confident Newcastle will get behind the event.
"It would be easier to sit back and wait for next year, but we have been unable to trade for many months and we know people want to get out, move and socialise."
Mr Humphreys said the event will be opened to vaccinated people, and from December 1 participants in his events including Maitland Triathlon will need to be vaccinated, have an exemption or provide a negative test result beforehand.
