New ‘Virtual Runner’ Software Puts Runners on Courses like New Balance Falmouth Road Race while Training Indoors on a Treadmill

Outside Interactive continues its product launch at the Falmouth Expo Friday and Saturday with Pre-Paced DVDs and Virtual Running simulation software on display

FALMOUTH, Mass. (August 12, 2011) – New “Virtual Runner” software and Pre-Paced DVDs from Outside Interactive puts runners on popular race courses like the New Balance Falmouth Road Race, surrounded by the natural sounds and scenery of the Cape Cod course and moving along at their own pace while training indoors on a treadmill.

The aim of the new simulation technology from Outside Interactive (www.outsideinteractive.com) is to improve runner enjoyment and performance by removing the boredom of treadmill training with a satisfying sensory experience.

The Boston-based startup continues its launch of the new simulation technology for runners in a booth at the Falmouth Expo from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today (Friday) and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Falmouth High School Field House, 874 Gifford Street, during bib pickup.

Marathon legend Bill Rodgers will be in the Outside Interactive booth from 1:45 to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. The company first showcased the products at the Expo of the TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K in Maine in early August.

The software, which can be used with an existing treadmill, PC or laptop, and a monitor or HDTV, offers a new, enhanced approach to treadmill running. Runners are able to run their favorite courses and routes at their own pace even when inclement weather keeps them indoors or when on the road, deployed overseas or traveling away from the course.

In addition to the New Balance Falmouth Road Race, videos are available of the B.A.A. Boston Marathon, TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race, a Central Park 10K run and a Charles River 7-mile run, and more courses will be added.

Falmouth Road Race Course Trailer

“These DVDs add a unique dimension to the typically boring treadmill experience,” said Gary McNamee of Boston, an avid runner who founded Outside Interactive. “We shot the courses from a runner’s view point with Dolby Digital sound to create a more real experience, enhanced by interactive technology. You feel like you’re out there on the course.”

With both products, runners can choose to start at the beginning of the course or at specific Mile Markers along the course. A marathon course, for example, can be broken up and completed over several runs. Some videos also contain elevation “prompts” alerting runners to raise or lower the incline of their treadmill. Also, runners can listen to natural sounds captured when the course was filmed, or mute the sounds to listen to their own music.

Early Summer Run - Charles River in Boston (7 Miles) - Trailer

The Pre-Paced DVDs include a growing library of famous courses, trails and popular running routes. Runners select the “pace” or speed at which the video will play, sync with their treadmill, hit start, and begin running while the Falmouth course, for example, plays on their screen. The DVDs allow runners to pre-select a 7:00, 8:00, 9:00 or 10:00-mile pace. The DVDs range in price from $19.95 to $39.95.

The Virtual Runner software takes the technology a step further. Using wireless technology with a footpod transmitter attached to a shoelace, the footpod communicates with a USB receiver attached to a laptop or PC. The wireless data controls the speed of the video. If a runner changes speeds during the treadmill run, the video automatically slows down or speeds up accordingly. The Virtual Runner Software System will sell for $249.95 and include the Virtual Runner Software, a Footpod, a USB Receiver Stick, Cadence Calibration Video, Central Park 10K Run and Charles River 7-Mile Run. An optional Heart Rate Monitor for $44.95 is also available that will display the runner’s heart rate on the screen.

TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K Course Trailer

McNamee, a life-long Boston resident and entrepreneur who founded IPS of Boston and Laser-Fax, Inc., developed the products after getting frustrated with not being able to train properly for the BAA Boston Marathon in New England’s unpredictable and often harsh weather.

After researching the latest video technologies, McNamee filmed the Boston Marathon race route and other popular courses, refining the video and editing process to produce the smoothest possible views of the course from the runner’s perspective. Through repeated filming and post production work to eliminate fast-forward or slow-motion effects, he was able to create videos to simulate a desired “pace” set by the treadmill user.

But McNamee decided he also wanted to give customers an option of going a step further – to be able to control the video speed interactively while on the treadmill during the run. The Virtual Runner software, using the footpod wireless transmitter technology, achieves that result.

Summertime Run - Central Park - 10K

“Runners who try our products are going to be amazed by how it changes the whole treadmill experience for them,” McNamee said. “If you’ve ever trained on a treadmill, especially at long distances, you know how tedious it can be. These products take away the boredom and put runners right on the course. They’re a great training tool.”

For additional information and demonstrations, visit www.outsideinteractive.com or call 508-238-9500 or 888-880-9264. McNamee will be showcasing the new products today, Aug. 12 and Sat., Aug. 13, at the New Balance Falmouth Road Race Expo, held during runner packet pick up at Falmouth High School in Falmouth, Mass.

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