The Scottish Coal Race will rise from the ashes next year after this year’s event in Kelty was pulled due to lack of funding.
Launched in 1995 as only the second event of its kind in the UK, the coal race was until recently a highlight of Kelty Gala.
But funding for the challenge, which drew competitors from far and wide, has dried up and it has been cancelled for the first time since its inception.
Organiser Michael Boyle said: “Last year was an historic event. It was the 21st anniversary of the coal race and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers played live.
“Unfortunately we can’t get the money for the coal trace this year.
“We didn’t want to put out a diluted product, and just get by. We didn’t have enough money for health and safety considerations or to put professional organisation in place.”
But Mr Boyle is determined to relight the embers of the event in 2017.
He plans to put on next year’s coal race as part of the inaugural Bath Street Festival paying homage to Kelty’s rich mining heritage.
Bath Street was the site of a long since demolished bathing facility for miners returning from the local pits.
“Every cloud has a silver lining and we have ambitions for next year,” he said.
“What we are planning to do is incorporate the Scottish Coal Race as part of the Bath Street Festival.”
“This will include a mixture of community markets, a fun fair, entertainment and also items from the mining archive.”
The Scottish Coal Race was in the past supported by the St Ninian’s Trust and Hargreaves Mining.
However, the St Ninian’s Trust fund ran out and Hargreaves, who took over the St Ninian’s opencast mine, have now left the site.
“The life cycle of the event has come to an abrupt stop,” said Mr Boyle.
He added that the Royal Bank of Scotland was also unable to provide any further support after the local branch closed.
Among the regular competitors of the coal race was Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie, who once finished second.
