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GREENSBORO -- Organizers of the N.C. Marathon said Thursday that the race will move from Greensboro to High Point this spring in its second year.

Race officials issued a brief announcement citing "budgetary considerations" for the move, but would not elaborate.

Sources who asked not to be identified said it came down to money: Greensboro police wanted $65,000 to provide security for runners and volunteers; High Point police said they would provide the same services for free.

Scott Johnson, interim city special events manager, said police and race organizers had been working since June to resolve the issue.

"In the end, High Point's offer might have been just too hard to beat," Johnson said. "Even if (Greensboro police) would have been able to work out a figure much lower, I'm not sure the race could turn down what (High Point) was offering. It seems too tempting."

The Greensboro police's initial request of $87,000 for the May 2 race was nearly double last year's budgeted $45,000 and would have been four times as much as security for last year's City of Oaks Marathon, a Raleigh race with a larger field.

The increase was, in part, to cover intersections that went uncovered by volunteers at last year's race, according to Greensboro Police Capt. Raymond Reese.

"Our job is to protect the participants as well as the public and do it as affordably as we can," Reese said. "We feel we're doing that."

Jim Michaels, race director for Raleigh's marathon, called the figure Greensboro police sought "crazy."

"Obviously, I don't know the particulars for your race," Michaels said Thursday, "but I can't see how it would possibly be so expensive."

Sources said that when it became clear there was no way for marathon officials and Greensboro police to agree on a figure, race director Melissa Fourrier shopped the race to High Point.

High Point police officials said they were still working out a route for the 26.2-mile race, but it will start and end downtown in front of the Showplace convention center.

The marathon is the chief fundraiser for Greensboro-based Foster Friends of North Carolina, which supports programs and services for foster children. Last year, after expenses, the race raised $36,000 for the agency.

Marc Bush, president of the Greensboro Sports Commission, said the change in venue will not mean a loss of money to Guilford County.

"We'll still have the folks from out of state staying at hotels and eating meals in the county -- just not in Greensboro," Bush said.

But for cities, marathons are a thing of pride, and Greensboro runners were saddened to learn their race was moving. Many wondered if they would compete this year, given a route has yet to be determined. Many runners planned on competing in this year's N.C. Marathon hoping to qualify for next year's Boston Marathon.

"It makes me a little anxious not knowing anything about the route," said Greensboro runner Jean Camp. "Now will I still run? Probably, but I'm probably like some other runners who have some doubts."

The move could be potentially embarrassing for race officials and their sponsors. The Proximity Hotel and VF Jeansware were two secondary sponsors. Proximity was the official hotel for out-of-state runners, and the race was scheduled to begin and end in front of VF's headquarters on North Elm Street.

A spokesman for VF Jeanswear said he was aware of the change, but declined to comment.

Contact Robert Bell at 373-7055 or robert.bell@news-record.com