Come and have a go if you think you’re fast enough!

23rd June 2014

Virgin Media gives sports fans the chance to race the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, at the Commonwealth Games this summer

Virgin Media, Proud Partner of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, is inviting the nation to race the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, this summer. Race Bolt is a unique, interactive experience created to bring the thrill of the race to the public – boasting a huge 40 metre long and 3 metre tall LED screen.

Open daily at Glasgow Green from 24th July until 3rd August, Race Bolt offers sports fans the opportunity to taste greatness by racing against a larger than life Usain Bolt on a professional quality 30 metre athletics track, as the icon himself features on the LED screen.

Runners are invited to take to the track for the race of their lives – after replicating the famous ‘lightning bolt’ pose of course – while infrared sensors ensure that the runner’s height, size and technique are all captured, giving each challenger an overall run time. Participants’ names and times will be added to an overall leader board, which will be updated daily to showcase the fastest times.

Usain Bolt said: "Everyday people come up to me and say let’s race…We've answered the call and my fans now have a great opportunity to race me even if it’s against the big screen.. Let’s see how fast you guys really are. I know I'm fast.  How fast are you?"

Luke Southern, programme director for Glasgow 2014 at Virgin Media, said: “Race Bolt is the embodiment of Virgin Media - championing speed and excellence. We’re thrilled to be supercharging the Games through this event at Glasgow Green during what we are sure will be a hugely exciting Commonwealth Games. Usain is known for pacing himself at the start of his race before picking up speed after the 30 metre mark so there will definitely be a few contenders for that winning place on the podium!”

Race Bolt will be positioned at the heart of Glasgow Green Live Zone, which will see this well-loved city park transformed into a ‘home’ hosting a free house party, with a traditional warm Glasgow welcome.  It will host Opening and Closing Ceremony Parties, performers and artists from across Scotland and throughout the Commonwealth, great music, family activities and live sport.  Glasgow Green Live Zone is one of three iconic outdoor locations where celebrations will be taking place from morning to night every day as part of Festival 2014, which will bring together over 1,000 performances across 100 venues, transforming the city alongside the sporting action.

Do you fancy your chances against Bolt? Then come and have a go if you think you’re fast enough! To secure your place on the starting line, simply head to the website - don’t forget your trainers!

Notes to editors

Virgin Media is delighted to be supporting the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games as a Proud Partner and Presenting Partner of Athletics. Virgin Media employs around 800 staff in Bellshill, just east of Glasgow, making it one of the largest employers in the area.

During the Games, Virgin Media will also host Bolt’s Gym – a pop-up experience on Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow’s city centre. Bolt’s Gym will be a place to train, chill and learn a few new Virgin Media tricks, and the doors are open to everyone. For those tired of shopping and in need of a breather, they can drop by to use Virgin Media’s free WiFi and listen to Bolt’s Beats on Spotify. Or meet the personal trainers giving a TiVo demo and supercharging TV viewing forever. For those who really want to train, they can try out Bolt’s treadmill and be in with a chance to win some signed Usain Bolt goodies.

For further details about Race Bolt and other Virgin Media activity during the Commonwealth Games visit glasgow2014.virginmedia.com

For full information about the Festival 2014 programme please go towww.glasgow2014.com/festival2014

The Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme is a national celebration. Culture 2014 is showcasing dance, theatre, music, visual arts, comedy and much more in the run up to and after the Commonwealth Games, with Festival 2014 transforming the Host City at Games time. The Cultural Programme is a partnership between the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee, Glasgow Life, and Creative Scotland through National Lottery funding. www.glasgow2014.com/culture

About Virgin Media

Virgin Media offers four multi award-winning services across the UK and Ireland: broadband, TV, mobile phone and landline.

The company’s dedicated, ultrafast network delivers the fastest widely available broadband speeds to homes and businesses. And we’re expanding this through our £3bn Project Lightning programme, which will reach 17 million premises.

Our interactive TV service brings live programmes, thousands of hours of on-demand programming and the best apps and games in a set-top box, as well as on-the-go for tablets and smartphones.

We launched the world’s first virtual mobile network, offering fantastic value and services to customers. We are also one of the largest fixed-line home phone providers in the UK and Ireland.

Through Virgin Media Business we support entrepreneurs, businesses and the public sector, delivering the fastest widely available broadband speeds and tailor-made services.

Virgin Media is part of Liberty Global, the world’s largest international cable company. Together Virgin Media and Liberty Global serve 27 million customers across 14 countries.

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