MILPITAS, Calif., Aug. 10, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SPOT LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Globalstar, Inc. (Nasdaq:GSAT) and the pioneer behind the award-winning SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger(tm), announced today its partnership of the upcoming 2009 Primal Quest adventure race providing real-time race tracking and GPS mapping. Primal Quest Badlands presented by SPOT can be followed live online using SPOT developed custom race software August 14 through August 23, 2009 at www.ecoprimalquest.com.
The 2009 Primal Quest Badlands race, called "The World's Most Challenging Human Endurance Competition," features international teams of co-ed athletes competing unsupported for 600 miles (965+KM) through the remote wilderness of South Dakota's Black Hills and Badlands. Teams will be equipped with the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger(tm) which sends location-based signals via communications satellite allowing for real-time public viewing on SPOT enhanced Google Maps(tm), MyTopo Maps, and an innovative race leaderboard for team position and race course check-point updates.
Due to the remoteness of the race the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger(tm) will also provide competitors and race staff with satellite-based messaging and emergency communications independent of cellular networks to assist with on-course safety.
"SPOT revolutionized the adventure racing experience last year in Montana not only for the athletes but also the race staff and fans around the word," said Don Mann, Primal Quest director. "For the first time ever extreme adventure racers have a tracking device that is light-weight and rugged enough to withstand the punishment of this race and reliable enough to provide location-based tracking of the teams online. SPOT is invaluable for race logistics and safety but also opens up the adventure racing world to fans who want to share the experience and see where their favorite teams are at any moment."
New this year is the integration of www.SPOTadventures.com, SPOT's new online social community providing additional team profile information and individual team tracking history allowing viewers to monitor their favorite team in real-time. SPOTadventures.com will allow the Primal Quest teams to document and share their race experience with others after the race by uploading geo-tagged photos, writing blogs and archiving their race maps and location data history.
"We are proud that SPOT is chosen as the official satellite-based tracking and emergency communications device for Primal Quest," said Katie Schoben, U.S. marketing manager, SPOT LLC. "The SPOT Messenger is the only product capable of sending location updates from the field in real-time for tracking, sending check-in messages or to notify help in an emergency using 100% satellite technology. Because SPOT is rugged and simple to use, the competitors can stay focused on the challenges of the race."
Primal Quest is the longest human-powered, multi-discipline, multi-day event of its kind in the world. The demands of traditional adventure racing disciplines are represented -- trekking, mountain biking, orienteering, swimming, and paddling -- but this year's race will require more navigation, climbing and rappelling and even cave spelunking under the Black Hills(1). Along the way competitors will race through lands where dinosaurs once roamed, run in the footsteps of Native American Tribes, passing herds of wild buffalo and navigate through endless towering spires, rock faces and waterways.
(1) The leaderboard and race map will display each team's last received tracking location and reached checkpoint while teams are participating in the caving discipline. SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger does not provide underground messaging or tracking communication.
To learn more about the 2009 Primal Quest Presented by SPOT, visit www.ecoprimalquest.com.
About SPOT Inc.
The SPOT Satellite Messenger, the world's first satellite messenger, uses both the GPS satellite network to determine a customer's location and the SPOT network to transmit that information to friends, family or an emergency service center. SPOT Inc., a subsidiary or Globalstar, Inc. (Nasdaq:GSAT), provides lifesaving communications technology that allows users to communicate from remote locations around the globe. Thanks to this affordable, cutting-edge personal safety device, the company offers people peace of mind by allowing customers to notify friends and family of their location and status, and to send for emergency assistance in time of need, completely independent of cellular phone or wireless coverage. For more information on how SPOT Inc. is helping users live to tell about it(sm) -- from disaster preparedness to outdoor adventure purposes -- visit www.findmespot.com.
NOTE TO EDITORS: to download a high resolution picture of the SPOT Satellite Messenger please visit http://sales.findmespot.com/photoshoot/index.htm.