Runners may be familiar with apps that allow them to virtually run well-known marathon routes such as the Boston and London Marathons by plugging their smartphones or tablets into a treadmill.

Many of these apps adjust the treadmill gradient to mimic the course and visuals depicting the streets and race atmosphere along the way.

London Marathon.
Credit: Facebook/London Marathon

However that is where most technology stops; runners are not able to completely immerse themselves into the environment and truly soak up the atmosphere when they run these courses virtually.

Now, local Singaporean start-up, Foo Holdings, has taken this virtual reality technology one step further. 

With the company’s brand new app, called FooVR®, runners can pretend that they are running on some of the most famous running courses in the world, simply by jogging on the spot, from the comfort of their now homes. 

Said April Foo, CEO, Foo Holdings, “With many countries now in lockdown because of the Covid-19 coronavirus, we hope that FooVR® will become a novel way to continue to motivate runners to keep up with their exercise regimes and find a reason to run. Not everyone can have access to a treadmill.”

FooVR® works using Foo Holdings’ revolutionary motion technology, FooTech®, that connects to a runner’s movements via Bluetooth, meaning that runners do not need to plug their smartphone or tablet into a treadmill, PSP, Nintendo or any other devices for that matter.

Boston Marathon.
Credit: Facebook/Boston Marathon

Besides seeing the race courses unfolding on their screen, runners will also be able to hear and smell the courses, thanks to Foo Holdings’ revolutionary 4D digital technology, FooTouch® which will completely immerse runners into the race-day atmosphere, as though they are really there.

Furthermore, runners using the FooVR® app can even high-five virtual spectators as well as accept sweets and chocolates from them, as though you were really running in the race.

Said April, “We can’t really explain how FooTouch® works, it just works. You have to try it in order to believe it for yourself.”

CLICK HERE to download FooVR® and experience the revolutionary Foo Holdings technology for yourself; the app is completely free-of-charge for new users for the first three months.