You wouldn't think a club's membership would be going up during the coronavirus pandemic.
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But that's exactly what's happened for the Warrnambool Athletics Club in the past fortnight.
President Ash Ansell said the club was rapt to have gained new members.
"We've had a great response over the past couple of weeks, we've actually had eight new members sign up," he said in a video on the club's Facebook page.
"So since this COVID-19 has struck, a few people have jumped on board.
"I think the virtual option has really suited some people who may not have been able to participate on (normal) scheduled event days."
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He encouraged others to take out a membership.
"If you are a new runner or if you've been competing as a non-member, it's not too late to sign up," he said.
Members are eligible to win medals and spot prizes.
WAC wrapped up its second ever virtual event, a six-kilometre handicap race, on Sunday.
It was a 3km up-and-back run along the Port Fairy to Warrnambool Rail Trail.
Runners completed the course solo and used a fitness tracker to log their time and map their run.
They could complete the course as many times as they wished, in a two-week period, before submitting their best time to the club.
Jack McLeod won the handicap race and his girlfriend Alish Quinless was second.
Warrnambool Tri Club president Ian Barnes finished third.
McLeod, 26, said he and Quinless "were pretty surprised" to see they got first and second.
"With the handicap you never really know," he said.
"We're certainly not the fastest.
"But the beauty of the club is that everyone has a chance of winning."
McLeod hails from Hamilton and he and Quinless moved back to the south-west at the beginning of the year.
The pair decided to join the club to meet new people.
McLeod has competed in just three WAC events and got his first win.
Sam Edney (21.25 minutes) and Emily Jansz (25.20) recorded the fastest male and female times, before handicapping.
The medals will be presented after social distancing restrictions have been lifted.
The race had 57 competitors, an increase on the 51 that took part in the club's virtual time trial earlier this month.
Ansell was thrilled with the bump up in participation.
"It's a great effort, it's great that everyone's getting out and staying healthy and being active," he said.
Ansell added virtual racing was a great way for people to keep engaged with the club community.
"Fifty-seven competitors, at a time like this, when the world is really struggling - it's great for everyone's mental health just to be involved with a club and to be able to socialise even via social media," he said.
WAC is now planning its third virtual race.
It'll be a 6km event and competitors have until 9am Sunday May 3 to post their best time.
The new course will be posted on the club's Facebook page in the coming days.
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