Yes—manual activities can count, but whether they’re accepted (and how they’re accepted) depends on whether you’re doing a Virtual Challenge or a Virtual Race, and on the acceptance rules you selected.

This article explains exactly when manual logging is allowed, when it won’t count, and how to submit manual activities correctly.

What counts as a “manual activity” in Pacer?

A manual activity (also called “manual submission” or “manual input”) is when you type in an activity (exercise type + date/time + distance, etc.) instead of recording it with GPS or importing from a connected device/app.

Manual logging is useful for activities like treadmill workouts, indoor cycling, rowing, etc.—as long as the event rules allow it.

Quick decision guide

1) Virtual Races: When manual activities are allowed (and when they are not)

✅ Allowed (Virtual Races)

Manual activities are accepted in Virtual Races as long as:

• The activity is distance-based
• The result is completed “in one go” (one single session)
• The activity’s start time is after you joined the race and within the selected month/timeframe
• You enter a distance value (distance cannot be blank)
• Proof photo is recommended; manual submissions without proof may be subject to rejection

❌ Not allowed / won’t count (Virtual Races)

Even if you manually log it, these typically won’t count:

• 24x7 pedometer daily step distance (it’s “accumulative,” not “in one go”)
• Multiple smaller activities added up to reach the race distance (e.g., two 5Ks to qualify for 10K)
• Manual activity timestamp is before you joined the race (down to the minute)
• You entered only duration/steps/calories but no distance

2) Virtual Challenges: When manual activities are allowed (and when they are not)

Virtual Challenges work by accumulating distance over time—but the key difference is that you can customize what the challenge accepts (including whether manual entries are allowed).

✅ Allowed (Virtual Challenges)

Manual activities will count only if your challenge rules allow them. Specifically:

• Choose “All exercise types (include manual input)” in the acceptance rules 
• Your manual activity date/time is within the challenge timeframe 
• You enter a distance (required for progress credit) 
• Proof photo is recommended; manual submissions without proof may be subject to rejection

❌ Not allowed / won’t count (Virtual Challenges)

Manual activities won’t count if:

• Your rules are set to “Only walk, run & hike (no manual input)” (GPS-tracked only) 
• Your manual entry is outside the challenge timeframe 
• You didn’t enter a distance (distance is what drives challenge progress)

How to tell whether your challenge accepts manual input

• On the challenge screen, the manual submit button may be disabled if manual input is not accepted by the current rules. 
• You can also check the acceptance rules on the challenge detail/info screen.

Can I change the challenge acceptance rules later?

Yes—before the challenge is ended or finished, you can change the acceptance rules, and the change takes effect immediately and can apply across the timeframe (retrospectively).

3) How to manually submit an activity (best practice)

When you manually submit an activity for either Challenges or Races:

1. Open the Challenge/Race detail page (or the manual submission entry point in the app) 
2. Choose an exercise type (walk/run/bike/etc.) 
3. Set the date & time: 
   • Must be within the event timeframe 
   • For races: must be after you joined (minute-level) 
4. Enter distance (required): 
   • If distance is empty, the activity won’t be credited 
5. Upload proof (recommended): 
   • Manual submission without proof may be subject to rejection

4) Common reasons manual activities don’t show up (and what to do)

“I submitted a manual activity but progress didn’t change.”

Check these in order:

1. Wrong event type expectations

   • Virtual Races require one single session and do not accept accumulated pedometer distances

2. Timeframe mismatch

   • Challenge: activity must be within the challenge’s timeframe Race: activity must occur after joining and within the selected month

3. Challenge rules do not accept manual input

   • If set to “Only walk, run & hike (no manual input),” manual entries won’t count

4. Distance missing
   • Manual submissions must include distance (duration/steps/calories alone won’t credit progress)