Microgaming (www.microgaming.com), the world’s largest provider of online gaming software, announces that one of its employee’s John Quinn will be taking on the challenge of Leadville 100 Marathon Mountain Bike Race in Colorado on Saturday 13th August 2011. Entry to the event is by ballot system and John will be joined by fellow Manxman Gary Johnston to complete the challenge, which covers one hundred miles across the high-altitude, extreme terrain of the Colorado Rockies, with a total elevation change of approximately 14,000 feet. Referred to as the 'Race across the Sky' due to the sheer altitude that the riders compete at, the event was created for only the most determined athletes and has a tough 12 hour time limit. Recent previous winners have included 7-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong (2009) and Levi Leipheimer (2010). Microgaming and the Isle of Man’s National Cycling Team have kindly donated a cycling kit for both John and Gary to compete in, and they will proudly be flying the Manx cycling flag during the international challenge. John Quinn, Microgaming commented: “For a long time The Leadville 100 has been a mountain bike race that I have wanted to participate in; the high-altitude, extreme terrain of the Colorado Rockies has meant only the most determined athletes take it on and I like a challenge! This year we were lucky to get an entry through the ballot system and since February we have trained an average of five times a week with a final endurance ride of over seven hours. Following a structured training plan, we will hopefully arrive at the start line fresh and raring to go, but with enough mileage to get to the finish. I would like to express my gratitude to Microgaming who have not only been supportive and flexible during my training for this event, but for also kindly sponsoring our race kit.” The mighty duo have endured a heavy training schedule and are also making use of the hyperbaric chamber in order to prepare for the extreme altitude. The event takes place on Saturday 13th August 2011 with John and Gary flying out to Colorado on Saturday 6th August to acclimatize to the altitude. -ENDS-