Outside Interactive Partners with New Balance Falmouth Road Race to Create Virtual Race Experience

Race day filming Aug. 11 will allow runners to interactively experience the race course at their own pace, learn the course ahead of time, compete virtually with their family and friends, or just relive the experience - all from their own treadmill

BOSTON (August 6, 2013) – Outside Interactive, a Boston-based developer of forward motion video software technology for treadmill runners, today announced it is partnering with the iconic New Balance Falmouth Road Race to create a virtual race-day experience that will enable runners to relive the excitement and train on the scenic Cape Cod course at their own pace from their own treadmill.

This is the second major New England race that Outside Interactive is working with to re-create the race day experience. Last month the company announced a partnership with the TD Beach to Beacon 10K in Maine.

Exclusive footage will be shot the morning of this year’s Aug. 11 Falmouth Road Race from a runner’s point of view to produce a high-definition video that allows runners to interactively run the virtual race course – with cheering spectators lining the roads – when inclement weather, travel, or deployment prevent being on the course itself.

“We are very excited at this opportunity to film the New Balance Falmouth Road Race on race day,” said Gary McNamee, president and founder of Outside Interactive (www.outsideinteractive.com). “We hope to capture all the electricity and excitement of the day so runners can be engaged and entertained when running on their treadmill the other 364 days of the year. From the competitive athlete who wants an edge, to new runners competing in their first Falmouth, we hope our Virtual Runner interactive race course videos will also aid in maintaining a healthier lifestyle.”

"The New Balance Falmouth Road Race exemplifies all the best a summer day along the Cape Cod coastline can offer,” said Scott Ghelfi, president of the New Balance Falmouth Road Race. “The ability to experience the course virtually is just another way we hope to let people enjoy our event anywhere or anytime until they can experience it firsthand.”    

Through the use of its state-of-the-art cameras, filming and editing techniques, the HD virtual-course videos, shot from the runner’s point of view, include all landmarks and distance markers and enable runners to become familiar with hills and how long and high they are. The new video being created for the Falmouth Road Race - shot on race day with other enhancements as well – updates a prior video of the course produced by Outside Interactive.

The new interactive road race course video will be available to purchase or download later this fall on the websites for the Falmouth Road Race (www.falmouthroadrace.com) and Outside Interactive (www.outsideinteractive.com) along with Outside Interactive’s Virtual Runner app which accurately controls the video speed to the viewer’s pace – just in time for the colder temperatures that force many runners inside to train on treadmills.

By creating these types of race-day videos for popular road race events, McNamee said, Outside Interactive wants to eventually offer the product to race directors to create “Remote Participation Events” for runners who do not get into the actual event, either due to space limits, qualifying standards or because they are “geographically challenged”, such as deployed overseas in the military.

“Other races have similar demand or they have qualifying standards, leaving many runners out of luck,” McNamee said. “For race directors, that puts a cap on revenues earned for the event. Races now can create additional revenue streams through course video downloads, Remote Participation Events and in-video advertising for the event sponsors, allowing brands to be seen not just on race day, but throughout the year. In addition, many more runners can experience their event virtually. It’s a win for the race, its sponsors and more importantly, a win for the runner.”

A brief demonstration can be found here: https://vimeo.com/23342639. Samples of various race courses, popular running routes and scenic destinations can be found at www.outsideinteractive.com.

Virtual Runner is currently available for Windows and as an iPad app at the iTunes Store. The iPad app allows for manual adjustment of the video speed to match the runner’s pace by minutes per mile or kilometer. For an even more immersive experience, both versions are compatible with accessories utilizing ANT+™ wireless technology, which automatically and accurately drive the pace of Virtual Runner course videos.

About Outside Interactive

Outside Interactive is a Boston developer of Virtual Runner for Windows and Virtual Runner for the iPad, revolutionary patent pending forward motion technology solutions featuring famous race courses, popular running routes and scenic destinations, all shot in HD from a runner’s point of view. The company was founded in 2011 by Gary McNamee, a lifelong Boston resident, avid runner and entrepreneur. He developed Virtual Runner after becoming bored on the treadmill and frustrated with not being able to train properly for the B.A.A. Boston Marathon® in New England’s unpredictable and often harsh weather. For more information, visit www.outsideinteractive.com or find Outside Interactive on Facebook and Twitter.

About the New Balance Falmouth Road Race

The New Balance Falmouth Road Race was established in 1973 and has become one of the premier running events of the summer season. Each year the race draws an international field of Olympians, elite and recreational runners out to enjoy the iconic 7-mile seaside course. The non-profit Falmouth Road Race organization is committed to promoting health and fitness through community programs and philanthropic giving. For more information, visit www.falmouthroadrace.com.

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Here is more information about the Outside Interactive