A TRIATHLON club which usually hold its annual 10k road race at the beginning of June each year didn’t let coronavirus stop them.

This year, Carlisle Tri Club launched their first virtual event which saw more than 150 people run or walk 10k or 5k in a socially distanced way in the week that the event would have normally taken place.

Heather Rowe, event organiser, explained: “The event has been going on for the last 10 years so we decided to hold it as a virtual event instead.

“People signed up to run in any safe distance that they could. They had a week to complete their run and submit their times our results company and we produced a leader board that went on Facebook every night.”

Usually the money from the event goes towards the club funds but this year they felt that it should go towards Eden Valley Hospice.

A final total of £512.65 was raised which was donated to the hospice.

Speaking about how the new virtual event went, Heather said: “It went really well.

“There was lots of positive feedback.

“We weren’t sure if, with people running on their own, it would feel like a proper event, but the feedback we got was positive.

“People liked having something to run for.”

Runners enjoyed having a goal to run for and feeling part of an event, even though they were running alone and submitting their times.

The tri club also had medals for everyone that took part, which Heather hand delivered herself on her bike, clocking up more than 290 miles in the process.

She spent three weeks delivering all the medals, but people liked having a medal and that sense of achievement.

Heather added: “We don’t know when we will all get back to racing again but in the meantime Carlisle Tri Club is a very friendly, inclusive club and we have a we have a very active online community.

“If anyone is thinking of getting involved in running, triathlon or cycling get in touch.”