A NEW Gold Coast fun run’s survival will depend on finding more sponsors for next year’s event.

The Varsity Lakes Run for Fun was staged yesterday with 181 runners and walkers turning out at the starting line despite the rain.

But even with strong community support, and backing from prominent businesses, the future of the event was bleak if major sponsors could not be secured for next year’s race.

Varsity Lakes Community Limited manager Katrina Wheatley said the rain did put a few people off.

“Most people who turned up got involved in the event,” Ms Wheatley said.

“There were only about 20 to 30 people left at the starting line when the fun run started,” she said.

“We will now look at the money that we raised before deciding on next year’s race.

“We will definitely need a sponsor to run another event next year.

“Sponsorship can include promotions on the day, in our advertising, or even a naming sponsor.”

Ms Wheatley said the fun run was a non-profit event planned to build a stronger community at Varsity Lakes.

“We were basically looking for initiatives for community events, and people want things that promote a more active lifestyle,” she said.

Ms Wheatley said she was confident in securing new sponsors.

“We have 250 businesses in the Varsity Lakes area,” she said.

The fun run started from Varsity Lakes’ central park with runners completing a circuit around Lake Orr.