BELFAST Marathon organisers warned yesterday's event could be the last because of policing costs.
Organising committee's chairman David Seaton said they have been told in future they may have to pay for policing.
He warned that if the fees are too large it "would be the end of the marathon".
The PSNI introduced a policy in 2015 detailing how it may charge private events for operations deemed over and above core policing services.
Councils have also started charging administration fees for handling road closures for sporting and community events after laws introduced last September passed the responsibility to local authorities.
Public processions such as band parades and protests are unaffected as they are dealt with through Parades Commission legislation.
The most expensive council fees are in Newry, Mourne and Down which charges £400 for small events and £600 for larger events.
In 2015/16 the PSNI charged fees totalling £98,100. The only sporting event charged was the Irish Open golf tournament in Co Down at a cost of £19,300.
Mr Seaton expressed fears that if the PSNI's policy was applied rigidly, the marathon would face a policing bill of £120,000.
"We couldn't take that hit. That would be the end of the marathon," he told the BBC.
The PSNI said it has been working alongside the marathon organisers on a traffic management plan, but "financial pressures" mean resources must be directed towards areas of greatest need such as tackling crime.
"Should it be determined that police are an essential part of the traffic management plan then discussions will take place around costings which will be dependent on the nature of the event," a spokesman said.
