The 26.2 with Donna Foundation® Partners with Outside Interactive to Create Digital Race Experiences of 26.2 with Donna Events
November 7th, 2014
Digital race courses will allow runners to raise money to fight breast cancer by competing remotely from anywhere in the world, through an online interactive race experience with their iPad or tablet, right on their own treadmill.
Hopkinton, MA (November 6th, 2014) – Outside Interactive, a Hopkinton, MA based developer of forward motion video technology for indoor exercising, today announced it is partnering with the 26.2 with Donna Foundation to create digital versions of their half marathon and 5K race events. Digital versions of 26.2 with Donna events will enable treadmill runners to train on the virtual courses prior to race day, and also compete remotely no matter where they are in the world, at their own pace on their own treadmill.
Exclusive footage will be shot the morning of this year’s races, immediately prior to the live event. Footage is shot from a runner’s point of view to produce a high-definition video that allows viewers to interactively run the virtual race course with their iPad® or tablet device – with cheering spectators lining the roads – when inclement weather, travel, or deployment prevent being on the course itself.
“We are honored at the chance to partner with the 26.2 with Donna Foundation,” stated Gary McNamee, Outside Interactive president and founder. “The weather can be pretty brutal in many parts of the country mid-February, forcing people inside to run on their treadmills. What better way to get in a workout than to participate on race day as a remote participant, raise money for a great cause and interactively experience the digital course in your home or health club?”
“Outside Interactive’s Virtual Runner technology is groundbreaking and we’re excited to see our race courses brought into the digital world,” stated Amanda Napolitano, Executive Director of the 26.2 with Donna Foundation. “People will now be able to enjoy a beautiful run along the Florida shoreline anywhere, anytime, whether it’s to train for one of our races or to participate remotely on race day.“
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, are made interactive to the runner’s pace through its use with Outside Interactive’s free downloadable app called “Virtual Runner,” available for Windows, iPad and soon to be released on the Android platform. The iPad and Android apps allow 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, all versions are compatible with footpod and heart rate monitor accessories utilizing ANT+™ wireless technology, which automatically and accurately drive the pace of Virtual Runner course videos.
“Knowing that 26.2 with Donna is always looking for new ways to engage their constituents and reach beyond Florida and the U.S., we felt this technology would be a good fit and that it was appropriate to make the introduction to Outside Interactive,” stated Robert Anderson, Founding Partner of Forte Interactive. “Their pioneering technology is going to change the way people train, compete and even raise funds for various charities in the world of endurance sports.”
The interactive race course videos will be available to purchase and download on the www.BreastCancerMarathon.com website, or the Outside Interactive website www.OutsideInteractive.com in 2015.
A brief demonstration can be found here: http://outsideinteractive.net/software.php Samples of various race courses, popular running routes and scenic destinations can be found at http://outsideinteractive.net/previews.php
About: Outside Interactive is a Hopkinton, MA developer of Virtual Runner, 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. Founded in 2011 by Gary McNamee, a lifelong Boston resident, avid runner and serial entrepreneur, Gary developed Virtual Runner after becoming bored on the treadmill and frustrated with not being able to train properly 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: 26.2 with DONNA is a private non-profit organization in Northeast Florida producing the only marathon in the U.S. dedicated to breast cancer research and care. Its mission is to passionately produce world class events to raise funds for ground breaking breast cancer research and empower women living with breast cancer. 26.2 with DONNA net proceeds go to breast cancer research, care and awareness. Since its inaugural year in 2008, 26.2 with DONNA has contributed more than $3.5 million towards its vision to finish breast cancer. Funds go to the Mayo Clinic for bench top breast cancer research and to The Donna Foundation to help the underserved with breast cancer.
