Hundreds of Illuminated Hikers Light Up Scotland Hill

As part of the Edinburgh International Festival and the London 2012 Festival, an extraordinary event is taking place starting August 9. Called Speed of Light, it brings together approximately 200 people that will put on specially designed LED suits and run through an iconic Scotland hill called Arthur's Seat. The event is being called a "remarkable fusion of public art and sporting endeavor."

To take part, runners have to have the stamina to complete a 3-5K hill run and be able to stay active over a 1 ½ - 2 ½ hour period. Audience members, totaling 800 per night, will also be integrated into the event by carrying a walking staff. The walkers will need to be reasonably fit themselves as they'll need to ascend the summit of Arthur's Seat which is approximately 2 miles and takes 2 hours to complete. Interestingly, the walkers' light sticks will contain an individually encoded micro-computer which will play music when it's triggered by movement.

Created by public art charity NVA, the event is meant to encourage interaction and participation on a massive scale, to investigate new technologies using light and energy, and to challenge peoples perceptions of themselves and the landscape of Scotland.