The Hunter Track Classic, an annual track and field meet at Glendale that attracted multiple Olympians and Paralympians each year, was the brainchild of Rio Games representative and former Athletics NSW development officer Westcott.

Following repeated inquiries from the Newcastle Herald as to why the Hunter Track Classic was no longer listed on the 2019-2020 schedule, Athletics NSW released a statement on Friday afternoon saying it would not be held next year.

This change means the Hunter Track Classic won't be part of the qualification process for Tokyo 2020, like it was for two previous Olympic cycles in London 2012 and Rio 2016.

Westcott, no longer involved in organising the Hunter Track Classic he helped reform in 2010, had mixed emotions about the announcement.

"It's a shame," the marathon runner said.

"We built something that we hoped would be sustainable. I've pulled back now, but at the time I was living that life. I was an elite athlete, working in sports administration and based in the Hunter. It was a unique mix.

"I'm disappointed it won't be around anymore. Everything has it's time. It's been a good ride."

There has been scarce promotion of the Hunter Track Classic since Westcott stepped away in 2017.

Westcott said he took great pride in "athletes climbing over each other to compete in Newcastle" and "trying to jazz up athletics" with innovations such as dramatic lighting and spectator-friendly competition.

Olympians like Tamsyn Manou (nee Lewis), Benn Harradine, Josh Ross, Ryan Gregson, Genevieve Gregson (nee LaCaze), Morgan Mitchell, Linden Hall, Peter Bol, Michelle Jenneke, Anneliese Rubie and Damien Birkinhead have all contested the Hunter Track Classic.

Paralympians such as Kurt Fearnley, Christie Dawes and Madison de Rozario raced at Glendale previously.

Athletics NSW posted an explanation on their website outlining the decision made by its board.

The state body scrapped the event, originally set down for February 1, "due to the challenge in attracting high performance athletes to Newcastle during this period, the competition permit system changes and financial considerations".

Athletics NSW went onto say they were "proud of the history of the Hunter Track Classic and will now focus on the delivery of the remainder of the 2019-20 track and field season", before suggesting an "alternative all comers style competition will be delivered in the Sydney metro area" on the same date.

Furthermore, "Athletics NSW supports the Athletics Australia 2020 tour structure", but there was no mention of the Hunter Track Classic potentially returning in the future.

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