Hundreds of runners wearing specially commissioned light suits will negotiate the intricate network of narrow paths below the rugged mini-mountain of Arthur's Seat in Holyrood Park, illuminating the darkness with a large-scale, choreographed spectacle.
Every 15 minutes during the performance, parties of the walking audience set off up the hill, both observing and participating in the energetic work with portable light sources, such as light-emitting walking sticks.
NVA's Speed of Light is one of four national projects to be commissioned as part of Legacy Trust UK’s Community Celebrations programme, an independent charity set up to build a lasting cultural and sporting legacy from the London 2012 Festival.
NVA artistic director, Angus Farquhar, who was also behind the popular Beltane Fire Festival, which takes place at the beginning of May each year, is a longtime long-distance and marathon runner himself.
As well as the personal motivation for the event's director, the Speed of Light event aims at "reconnecting the competitive Olympic spirit with the co-operative philosophy espoused by the founder of the modern games Pierre de Coubertin".
Tickets are available from the Edinburgh International Festival