The long-distance running club has altered its six-kilometre Killarney Time Trial scheduled for Saturday, April 4 due to the risk of COVID-19.

President Ash Ansell said at this stage the club would instead have a virtual time trial.

The club will pick a course which members can undertake in a given time frame (over days).

Ansell said the virtual race would be for members only due to the coronavirus pandemic.

He said competitors could record their time and map their run through a running application such as Strava.

Runners would then submit their time to the club so it could determine the winners.

It's much like the worldwide Relief Run - for bushfire relief - the WAC got behind in January.

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Ansell said the plan was to have a virtual race but the club would adjust with updates from health authorities.

"If there's any risk to anyone, then we won't run the event," he said.

The president said people valued the physical and mental benefits of running during these uncertain times.

"A big thing coming out at the moment, is that people want to run and enjoy it because of the mental stimulation it offers," he said.

"Recreational running, at this stage, is still endorsed."

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Ansell said the WAC committee would review the circumstances on a race-by-race basis before making decisions on its future events.

The president will contact Athletics Victoria this week for further information and advice for his club.

Like many athletes, Ansell had to deal with the disappointment of a big event being cancelled.

He was weeks away from competing in the Vancouver Marathon before travel restrictions kicked in.

"I was ready to run and ready to race," he said.

The keen runner said he been working towards the event for six months.

Ansell said it was important for members to "support those that support us" (sponsors) at this time.

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