THE race director of Dunfermline"s half marathon is '90 per cent sure' the event will go ahead next year after Fife Council resolved not to let it die.

John Martindale said Sunday"s race was 'probably our best ever' and it now looks set to continue despite concerns a lack of funding would kill it off.

That was the message given at the start of the race by depute provost Lizz Mogg, just days after Mr Martindale said that a drop in sponsorship from recession-hit companies had left the event 'under threat'.

Mr Martindale said, 'I"m confident it will be OK, I"m now 90 per cent sure it will go ahead after this reassurance and I"ve already booked the date - 9th May 2010.

'Sunday was probably the best one ever and it seems appropriate after the signal came through that it was under threat a few months ago.

'We"d been looking at it very carefully and if it wasn"t for the support of Fife Council I couldn"t see it going ahead this year.' He continued, 'There were also a few prospective sponsors looking at the event that we had spoken to before so hopefully Sunday has given us a good platform of interest and we can pick up more funding for next year.

'It"s one of the biggest events in Fife and we can"t let it slip away.

'I"d explained at the start about the cancellation of the Dundee event and the sponsorship issue before the depute provost got on stage but she said all the right things.

'She said the council would definitely work with Interloq on the future of the half marathon and that it was secure for 2010.' Councillor Mogg confirmed, 'We"ve valued and supported this going on for seven years and I"ve been told it"s set to continue in 2010 when we"ll be celebrating the Festival of Fife.

'My SNP colleagues Brian Goodall and Douglas Chapman assured me it will go ahead next year which is why I was able to give that assurance at the start of the race.' Although no formal committee or council decision has yet been taken, she agreed that a "verbal commitment" has now been given.

Mrs Mogg added, 'Obviously there are funding problems all over but for the amount of good the half marathon does, it"s worth us finding the money to support it.

'Sport is one of the council"s big eight priorities so we certainly couldn"t let it go and I hope it will go on beyond 2010, that"s the plan.

'It brings hundreds of people in to participate and watch, it brings in trade and it has a real social benefit too.

'It"s a good news story. I know John was happy with my announcement and it"s so well organised we want it to continue.' Just under 900 runners set out from Pittencrieff Park on Sunday morning, cheered on by family and friends as another 100 mums, dads and children took part in the family fun run which set off 15 minutes later.

First home in the half marathon was Tsegezeab Woldemichael in a time of 1hr 6mins 59secs and runner-up was Tewelderberhan Mengisteab, both originally from Eritrea and now running for Shettleston Harriers.

Tommy Lawrence, who finished eighth, was the first West Fifer home and so he retained the Gary Riddell Trophy for the fifth consecutive year.

Toni McIntosh, from Ayr, was the first female back in 10th position.

The runners also included Royal Signals staff sergeant Gordon Campbell (right), from Rosyth, who completed the run in army gear and carrying a 30 pound backpack. Mr Martindale said, 'It"s a prestigious event and it"s great that Scottish Athletics recognise we can deliver.

'They don"t give the Scottish Championships to anyone and it was the sixth year in a row we"ve had it.' He added, 'People are very loyal to this event, we"ve a fantastic group of people involved and helping and we"ve had some very good feedback.

'The amount of emails we"re getting, all the lovely compliments, it"s really heartening.

'People are telling us it was a great course, the marshals had a sense of humour and were great at encouraging the runners, even the weather was good!' l Carnegie Harrier Tommy Lawrence was in top form at Sunday"s Dunfermline City Half Marathon, as mentioned above, retaining the Gary Riddell Trophy after clocking an impressive 1:16.25..

Nineteen Harriers completed the challenging two-lap course and Kevin Mathie was the second Carnegie runner to reach the finish in Pittencrieff Park, clocking 1:24.39 (25th), followed by Ian Johnston, who placed second M50 in 1:25.44.

Kristin Lownie was Carnegie"s leading lady, finishing 10th lady in 1:33.10. Linda James finished second F40 in 1:44.09 while Morna Fleming timed at 1:55.53 for second F50. Iain Thomson placed second M60 in 1:36.59.

l Pitreavie"s Neil MacLachlan was their first runner back in 21st position, in a time of 1:23:10, followed by Barry Davie in 1:24:59.

Graeme Crane helped Pitreavie to fourth placed men"s team after finishing in 1:28:37 while Patricia Vargas was first Pitreavie woman back in 1:52:23.

She was followed by Helen Kane in 1:59:24 and Christine Syme in a time of 2:14:56.

Other times included Owain Williams in 1:45:01, Frank Coyle in 1:45:07, Charles Hunter in 1:50:14 and Alan Harwood in 1:59:43.