CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- W.R. Good has been running for decades, as a way to get in shape.

"My nickname was Jell-o when I was in school, so if that tells you anything. One day I just kind of woke up and said I'm not doing this anymore and made some lifestyle changes," said runner W.R. Good.

In August, he turned 60. On Saturday, he’ll be running the Charlottesville 10 Miler for the 27th straight year.

"It's sort of like eating potato chips you know, I just want more than one," said Good.

The race gives runners the chance to train through the winter with a goal come spring.

"We start with a half a mile, can you imagine, two laps on the track of walk running and five months later they're running. And what they accomplish throughout the last five months is remarkable," said volunteer coach Mark Lorenzoni.

This year’s race won’t be happening as normal, canceled for the first time since its inception in 1976. That isn’t stopping racers from crossing the finish line.

"I have received hundreds of emails from participants saying I can't imagine what's happening, I'm still gonna do it, I still love this race," said race director Nicole Brimer.

Saturday morning, the course will be marked for runners to still go out on their own, while being conscious of others.

"It's going to be weird, my wife was like, 'Now I know there's going to be folks out there as nuts as you are that are doing this thing so you need to make the social distance thing work for you tomorrow'," said Good.

A virtual race is also in place to record their times and submit photos. 

"It's a way to give runners, someone who's been training for this race for months a way to still participate," said Brimer.

"We're going to try and give them as much of that feel that they've accomplished as if they were there on race day," said Lorenzoni.

And while the typical crowds of roughly 2,000 won’t be gathering this year,  runners are making even bigger strides.

"The 10 Miler is kind of the carrot but the ultimate garden is their overall fitness," said Lorenzoni.

Participants like Good are running as long as they can.

"Few years ago, one of the oldest participants that finished in Charlottesville was 81. So I'm hoping to be that 81-year-old down the road that continues to run," said Good.

All of the proceeds generated from the Charlottesville 10 Miler go to charity. Because of the 2020 cancellation, all proceeds will be deferred to the same charities in the 2021 race. Racers this year will also automatically be registered for next year's run.

Runners can complete the 10 milers anywhere and anytime until April 4, and submit their times here: https://runsignup.com/virtualc10m.