Warrnambool Athletics Club's current virtual event has some excitement attached to it.
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The most recent race was a six-kilometre time trial and runners could determine where they finished by the deadline.
But this time it's a 6km virtual handicap race.
Runners will have to wait until times are adjusted to find out where they finished.
"It will be interesting to read out the results that no one will actually have any idea about," WAC president Ash Ansell said.
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Runners complete the course solo, log their time using a phone application and submit it to the WAC Facebook page.
The application can map their run to prove they completed the correct course - a 3km up-and-back run along the Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail.
The race is open for two weeks with the deadline 9am this Sunday.
Anyone running in a group and choosing not to run within the rules of social distancing will be disqualified.
Ansell explained the club was using the sealed handicap method.
It traditionally means runners start at the same time. In this virtual event they are all starting at zero.
After the race, officials adjust the finish times using the handicaps to determine the net time for each runner. The runner with the lowest net time wins.
Ansell said WAC would normally use the sealed handicap system if inclement weather meant it was better for all runners to start at the same time rather than intermittently.
Handicaps will be determined by the club's recent 6km time trial.
Anyone can submit their time but to be eligible for medals, a runner must be a club member and have completed the 6km time trial.
Ansell said the aim was to have most of the field finish within a four-minute window.
A committee member is looking after the handicapping, a complicated mathematical process.
Ansell believes they "probably have the hardest job at the club".
The president said the club planned to host its next (sixth) race of the season virtually. He said the course was yet to be determined.
Ansell added it was difficult to pick a course under the COVID-19 restrictions.
He doesn't want a course with too much foot traffic. But he also wants runners to feel safe and not too isolated.
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