MANCHESTER -- Thanksgiving is nearly upon us and that means the Manchester Road Race will take over the town. An estimated 15,000 will run and as many as 35,000 will line the streets to watch.
For the 80th running of the race, the committee has taken technology the extra mile by offering a "virtual race" option. As long as you have a treadmill, a Boston-based company called Outside Interactive has created a life-like virtual environment to allow racers to compete.
"The Manchester Road Race always wants to be on the cutting edge of technology," said Race President Tris J. Carta. "My daughter is in school in Los Angeles and can now run the road race."
"The technology that has evolved is way beyond my imagination," said Race Director Jim Balcome who is in his 40th year with the race. "Our intent is also to take care of people who might be in the service, who might be over serving our country and for them to use the Road Race app."
Carta said the app is designed to work with a treadmill adding the hills and dips that the 4.74 mile course offers.
"There is nothing quite like being here," Carta said, "but if you can't be here then this (app) is the next best thing."
There is a charge for the app and racers who choose can enter in the actual virtual race day competition, conceivably going up against other virtual racers from all over. For more information click here.
Click here for complete coverage of the Manchester Road Race.
