OUTSIDE INTERACTIVE ANNOUNCES ICONIC RACE DIRECTOR DAVE MCGILLIVRAY HAS JOINED ITS BOARD OF ADVISORS
RUNNING USA
McGillivray’s Role Will Be To Advise On Introducing Virtual Runner Race Simulator Technology For Treadmills To Race Directors For Remote Race Participation
Outside Interactive, a Hopkinton, Massachusetts based developer of Virtual Runner™, a race course simulator for treadmill runners, announced today at this year’s annual Running USA Conference that Race Director Dave McGillivray has joined its Board of Advisors. McGillivray’s role will be to advise on introducing the company’s groundbreaking technology to Race Directors, allowing for the creation of an online digital race participation experience. When used with any treadmill and iPad® or Android® tablet device, runners will be able to interactively experience a race course, enabling them to see, feel and learn the course ahead of time at their exact pace, note landmarks along the way and even experience the incline grades of hills on the course.
“Dave was part of the inception of this industry and has seen it grow to what it is today, “stated Gary McNamee, President and Founder of Outside Interactive. “His vision is exactly the type of thing we need in relaying the massive opportunity we have developed for Race Directors in bringing their races online into the digital world.”
“In seeing what Gary was up to when he first got started, I thought this was a cool idea,” stated McGillivray. “I mean, who likes to run on a treadmill? I thought he was solving a big problem, namely boredom. But after understanding the financial model on how this could be applied to races and who it could benefit, it was almost overwhelming. I wanted to help.”
McNamee said “The idea of a virtual race is nothing new, but we are bringing things to the next level through technology, turning a treadmill into a race course simulator. Race Directors can now tap into a global audience, no longer confined to geographical boundaries or race entrant caps. This will create an entirely new revenue stream for the race and its charities, while creating global exposure for the race and its sponsors through the use of in video advertising. From health clubs to military bases, hotel chains to homes, anywhere you find a treadmill, you can be part of a race.
Speaking of health clubs, Outside Interactive is currently piloting its technology with two health club chains, who will benefit by offering remote participation of live races in their clubs. This offers a great perk for existing club members as well as a great recruiting tool for new members. Bringing races and health clubs together through Virtual Runner technology will open new cross promotional opportunities for both industries.
Who else benefits? The race, the race registration company, the awards companies, T-shirt providers, charities, race sponsors and naturally, the runner who wants to be part of the live event but can’t.
Outside Interactive has taken over 6 years to refine the technology it calls Virtual RunnerTM. This software application is combined with their professionally shot videos for use with any treadmill and iPad or tablet device, creating an interactive digital race course.
“The aim of race day filming will be to show a race with all the electricity and excitement of the day,” stated McNamee. “Races will now have a way of showcasing their event to a highly targeted global audience.” A brief demonstration can be found HERE
Samples of various race courses, popular running routes and scenic destinations can be found HERE
Virtual Runner is available for the iPad on iTunes and for Android tablets in Google Play. The 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 BlueTooth® and ANT+® wireless technology, which automatically and accurately drive the pace of Virtual Runner course videos. Plans are currently in the works involving pairing the tablets with “smart” treadmills, controlling not only course video speed, but also the treadmill’s incline and decline to match the terrain of the course.
About Outside Interactive: Located on the starting line of the world famous Boston Marathon®, 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 OutsideInteractive
About Dave McGillivray: Race Director, philanthropist, motivational speaker, accomplished athlete. Dave McGillivray is a professional with a purpose. From his extraordinary run across the U.S. to benefit the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in 1978, to organizing almost 1000 mass participatory events since founding DMSE, Inc. in 1981, McGillivray has also logged more than 150,000 miles, most for charity, raising millions for worthy causes. He’s completed 145 marathons and competed in nine Hawaii Ironman Triathlons. A recipient of dozens of awards and highlights during his career including Race Director of the 2004 and 2008 USA Women’s Marathon Olympic Trials, some of his more recent accomplishments include 2015 Listing in Runner’s World Top 50 Most Influential People in Running and 2017 Inductee into the Road Runners Club of America Distance Running Hall of Fame. For more information on Dave, please visit Dave McGillivray