Warrnambool Tri Club president Ian Barnes says it was an easier decision to shift the opening event of the club's new season from in-person to virtual after the success of last year's edition.
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The club's duathlon will be virtual for the second straight year due to the state government's coronavirus roadmap not allowing it to be run in person on its proposed date of October 24.
Last year's virtual duathlon was a success and Barnes said that made the decision to go online easier this time around.
"Last year when we turned it virtual there was a little bit of apprehension on how it would work and how members would feel about it," he said.
"But our members came in droves and we managed to engage a lot of new ones and had people outside of club give it a go.
"Families and couples can do it as teams and our youngest competitor was under one and they were part of a family team where the young son rolled around in a stroller.
"It is a great opportunity for everyone to get out, especially since we have been stuck at home for quite a while, and enjoying some sunshine and getting active.
"After last year we were confident we could do it (a virtual event) well again."
The duathlon, which will take place around Albert Park, has sprint and short course events.
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The sprint is a three-kilometre run, nine-kilometre bike ride and finishes off with a 1.5km run. The short course offers a 1.5km run, 6km ride and another 1.5km run.
The event is free for members and participants from the general public who wish to take part. Competitors are encouraged to register on the club's website.
Participants will then have between Friday, October 22 to 12pm on Sunday, October 31 to complete the course of their choice.
Competitors will time themselves during their event and then submit it by 1pm on the October 31 to admin@warrnambooltriclub.com.
Barnes said the club was optimistic of running the second event of its season - the Killarney Tri - in person on November 21
"We are hoping to run it in person, however, the committee is committed to pivoting and being dynamic if we need to be and to ensure we it run safely and meet the guidelines," he said.
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Sean Hardeman
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
