New ‘Virtual Runner’ Software Puts Runners on Iconic Race Courses while Training Indoors on a Treadmill

Outside Interactive will launch Pre-Paced DVDs as well as the new video software technology Aug. 4-5 at Expo for TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race in Cape Elizabeth, Maine

BOSTON (August 4, 2011) – New “Virtual Runner” software and Pre-Paced DVDs from Outside Interactive put runners on iconic race courses, surrounded by natural sounds and moving along at their own pace, all while training indoors on a treadmill.

The Boston-based startup, found online at www.outsideinteractive.net, will launch two new products - Virtual Runner software and Pre-Paced DVDs – today at the Expo of the TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, one of the virtual race courses available to runners.

The new products offer an exciting new approach to treadmill running, enabling runners to run their favorite courses and routes at their own pace even when inclement weather or when on the road, deployed overseas or traveling away from the course. The software can be used with an existing treadmill, PC or laptop, and a monitor or HDTV.

“Virtual Runner and our pre-paced DVDs revolutionize the typically boring treadmill experience,” said Gary McNamee of Boston, an avid runner who founded Outside Interactive. “The courses were shot in a wide-screen format from a runner’s vantage point and with Dolby Digital sound to capture natural sounds, creating a realistic experience that is enhanced by the interactive technology. You can run any pace, speeding up or slowing down along the way, and the video stays in sync with your movements, just like you’re out there on the course.”

TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K Course 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 a beautiful run along the Charles River in Boston, for example, passing Boston and Cambridge landmarks. 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.

Falmouth Road Race 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.

“I remember thinking, what if I could film the course and view it while I ran on my treadmill,” he said. “I just took my idea and ran with it, so to speak.”

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.

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

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.

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.

In addition to the TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race course, videos are available of the New Balance Falmouth Road Race, the B.A.A. Boston Marathon, Central Park 10K Run and Charles River 7-Mile Run.

Summertime Run - Central Park - 10K

“The goal of Outside Interactive is to improve a runner’s treadmill experience by offering many different popular running routes, allowing them to preview race courses, learn the landmarks or just enjoy the scenery, at their own pace and while training indoors,” McNamee said.

For additional information and demonstrations, visit www.outsideinteractive.net or call 508-238-9500 or 888-880-9264. McNamee will be showcasing the new products today, Aug. 4 and Friday, Aug. 5 at the TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10K Expo held during runner packet pick up at Cape Elizabeth High School in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

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