The event was previously run along the harbour foreshore, however this year's edition will be held on Kembla Joggers' cross country course in Dapto.

The club cited the increased workload and costs associated with meeting traffic management requirements as the primary reasons for the relocation.

Kembla Joggers are set to officially announce the move on Tuesday, with the race also shifted from its usual late March date to May 24.

While disappointed to see the Illawarra's top fun run moved away from the city centre, Kembla Joggers committee member Neil Barnett said the club is hoping to make the most of the change.

"It was an iconic event on an iconic course," Barnett said. "It had been run for over 30 years and was the last remaining of the original Wollongong fun runs.

"It's regrettable, but with the extra amount of work over the six months we were required to put in, this was the only way forward.

"We want to be positive though, hopefully it works out quite well for us at the new venue. It's a purpose-built cross country course, there will be less headaches and costs for us, the facilities are better.

"The community will be running on a national cross country course. Olympians and world-class athletes ran on it last August."

A Wollongong Council spokesperson acknowledged organisations are required to meet traffic regulations to hold events like the Fitness 5 and Kerryn McCann 10.

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The spokesperson also stated Kembla Joggers did not cite traffic management requirements as a reason for the event's relocation.

"As part of our focus on making Wollongong a great place to live, Council supports events across our Local Government Area," the spokesperson said.

"To enable and encourage growth of this nature, we have a dedicated events team who are able to offer advice and support to groups looking to put on an outdoor event on Council owned or managed land that may require, for example, an Event Application, Development Application or a Park Booking.

"They're also able to support groups through the development of a Traffic Management Plan, which considers, in part, the safety of those visiting or participating in an event.

"The Traffic Management Plan is considered by the Traffic Management Committee which is made up of a representative from Wollongong City Council, NSW Police, Transport for NSW and a representative of the local State MP where the event is located.

"Council was advised by Kembla Joggers earlier last month they would not be running a Fitness Five event in 2020 on Wollongong roads and paths.

"Their correspondence did not reference traffic management or anti-terrorism measures as a reason the event would not happen this year.''

The Kerryn McCann 10 and Fitness 5 have seen a decline in popularity in recent years, with the event's awkward positioning on the overall athletics calendar and the boom in fun runs across Sydney leading to a drop in participation numbers.

It is anticipated the move to a purpose-built cross country course in late May will allow more long-distance runners to use the race as a key event in their winter running program.

Barnett is hopeful the change in date and venue will allow the club to reinvigorate the race, with a number of junior events and activities also planned for the day.

"We needed a bit more time to get this worked out," Barnett said. "It also gives us a bit of clear air. With the old date, it caused issues with school holidays and Easter and the weather was warmer. Moving to late May is a good time.

"We were always looking at moving the date, this is a good time for the race and gives us more time to promote the new location."

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