Not dismayed by current social isolation rules, a passionate group of keen runners are staying connected as they stay apart by taking part in a ‘Virtual Race Club’ organised by the Mornington Peninsula Athletic Club.
Despite regular inter-club competition organised by Athletics Victoria being postponed due to the coronavirus shutdown, the club has taken competition into their own hands, producing a race series where participants run a set distance and upload their performances online via social-fitness network, Strava.
Taking advantage of Victoria’s consideration that solo outdoor exercise is considered an essential activity, the race series remains one of the only organised local sporting competitions still running during the lockdown.
More than 70 runners recorded entries the first week-long event, the “MPAC Corona 5km”. Athletes are instructed to run at the location of their choosing, times are recorded off their GPS data, graded via the participant’s age and top performers given points toward a series ladder.
At least two more events are planned but the surge in popularity is likely to see the series continue on until regular competition resumes.
A free event that is not restricted to club members, the series is open to the general public regardless of their location.
“It’s fantastic to see our club coming together and staying connected virtually during this difficult time,” Virtual Race Club organiser Jake Stevens said.
“We were pleasantly surprised with the amount of interest it’s generated so far. I think we’ve really struck a chord with our runners who enjoy testing themselves, but also the social element which is missing at the moment. You see the comments on everyone’s runs, there’s a lot of encouragement and a good amount of banter too.”
“We’ve had entries from right across the Peninsula, up towards Melbourne, regional Victoria and even some from friends in Queensland and Western Australia.”
“The Virtual Race Club is a way our club can stay connected while keeping apart during this time.”
The Mornington Peninsula Athletic Club had recently achieved record membership following a successful summer track and field season in which they were promoted to one of the ten ‘Premier Division’ clubs across Victoria.
To get involved in the MPAC Virtual Run Club – visit the club’s website www.mpac.org or search for “MPAC Virtual Race Club” on Strava or the “Mornington Peninsula Athletic Club” group on Facebook.
Despite regular inter-club competition organised by Athletics Victoria being postponed due to the coronavirus shutdown, the club has taken competition into their own hands, producing a race series where participants run a set distance and upload their performances online via social-fitness network, Strava.
Taking advantage of Victoria’s consideration that solo outdoor exercise is considered an essential activity, the race series remains one of the only organised local sporting competitions still running during the lockdown.
More than 70 runners recorded entries the first week-long event, the “MPAC Corona 5km”. Athletes are instructed to run at the location of their choosing, times are recorded off their GPS data, graded via the participant’s age and top performers given points toward a series ladder.
At least two more events are planned but the surge in popularity is likely to see the series continue on until regular competition resumes.
A free event that is not restricted to club members, the series is open to the general public regardless of their location.
“It’s fantastic to see our club coming together and staying connected virtually during this difficult time,” Virtual Race Club organiser Jake Stevens said.
“We were pleasantly surprised with the amount of interest it’s generated so far. I think we’ve really struck a chord with our runners who enjoy testing themselves, but also the social element which is missing at the moment. You see the comments on everyone’s runs, there’s a lot of encouragement and a good amount of banter too.”
“We’ve had entries from right across the Peninsula, up towards Melbourne, regional Victoria and even some from friends in Queensland and Western Australia.”
“The Virtual Race Club is a way our club can stay connected while keeping apart during this time.”
The Mornington Peninsula Athletic Club had recently achieved record membership following a successful summer track and field season in which they were promoted to one of the ten ‘Premier Division’ clubs across Victoria.
To get involved in the MPAC Virtual Run Club – visit the club’s website www.mpac.org or search for “MPAC Virtual Race Club” on Strava or the “Mornington Peninsula Athletic Club” group on Facebook.
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