Imagine me saying this in my “movie theater guy” voice.

Cineplex Entertainment and Citizen Pictures take movie audiences on a ride only the most intense cyclists have experienced – including seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong – as they compete in one of the world’s most grueling mountain bike races in Race Across the Sky – Leadville Trail 100. Shown exclusively in select Cineplex Entertainment theatres on Wednesday, January 27th and Sunday, February 7th, 2010, these special events will feature the debut of the documentary, “Race Across the Sky.”

OK turn off your “move theater guy” filter. In all seriousness IMBA Canada has partnered with Citizen Pictures for the Canadian debut of “Race Across the Sky” documenting the 2009 LT100 Mountain Bike Race. Dave Wiens had won it since 2003 and managed to hold off Lance Armstrong in 2008. But in 2009 Lance finally added this race to his long list of victories.

More details from the press release:

“The Leadville Trail 100 is one of those events…Like the New York City Marathon or the Ironman, where people say, one day I want to do that,” said Armstrong. “It’s the purest level of passion that you can get.”

“Cineplex Entertainment is pleased to partner with Citizen Pictures to invite cyclists and mountain bike racing fans to the Canadian premiere of Race Across the Sky – Leadville Trail 100,” said Pat Marshall, Vice President, Communications and Investor Relations, Cineplex Entertainment. “Watching the competitors race on difficult terrain with picturesque Colorado as the back drop on our big screens is sure to impress.”

Citizen Pictures filmed against the misty backdrop of a former mining town in Colorado that sits at 10,200 feet to capture the drama of the 2009 LT100 mountain bike race. The LT100 began as a running race 27 years ago to draw tourism to Leadville, Colo. The mountain bike race was added in 1994 and has become a competition with more than 1,000 entries and a lottery determining who will compete. The course includes 14,000 vertical feet of climbing and often severe weather changes. Competitors race on dirt trails, mining roads and Forest Service roads, hoping to cross the finish line in 12 hours or less.

Cameras followed the cyclists from the start through to the finish line and all 100 miles in between as they competed in the August 2009 competition – one of the most intense endurance races of all time. Witness breathtaking aerial views as the camera crew follows the competitors as they cycle over 100 miles of dangerous mountain terrain through extreme climate changes ranging from heat to hail and from rain to snow.

“If you’re lucky enough to get into this race, it will be the hardest day on the bike you’ll ever experience. 100 miles, off-road, all above 10,000 ft,” said Frank Matson, CEO of Citizen Pictures. “The summit is a relentless climb to the top of Columbine Mine at 12,570 ft. The only thing you can count on is that anything can happen.  And if at the end of the day you’ve crossed the finish line, you’ve won.”

How much will it cost?

Advance tickets are now available online at www.cineplex.com/events as well as at participating theatre box offices. Admission for children ages 3 – 13 is $8.00, seniors is $10.50 and general admission is $12.50. A special group rate is also available for groups of 20 or more. For more information on group rates, call 1-800-313-4461 or email corporatesales@cineplex.com.

When and where can you see it?

Cineplex Entertainment will present Race Across the Sky – Leadville Trail 100 at the following select theatres across the country on Wednesday, January 27th at 7 pm and Sunday, February 7th at 1 pm (local time):

• Ajax: Cineplex Odeon Ajax Cinemas, 248 Kingston Road
• Ancaster: SilverCity Ancaster Cinemas, 771 Golf Links Road
• Barrie: Galaxy Cinemas Barrie, 72 Commerce Park Drive
• Belleville: Galaxy Cinemas Belleville, 160 Bell Boulevard
• Brampton: SilverCity Brampton Cinemas, 50 Great Lakes Drive
• Brantford: Galaxy Cinemas Brantford, 300 King George Road
• Burlington: SilverCity Burlington Cinemas, 1250 Brant Street
• Collingwood: Galaxy Cinemas Collingwood, 6 Mountain Road
• Etobicoke: Cineplex Odeon Queensway Cinemas, 1025 The Queensway
• Gloucester: SilverCity Gloucester Cinemas, 2385 City Park Drive
• Guelph: Galaxy Cinemas Guelph, 485 Woodlawn Road W
• Hamilton: SilverCity Hamilton Mountain Cinemas, 795 Paramount Drive
• Kingston: Cineplex Odeon Gardiners Road Cinemas, 626 Gardiners Road
• London: Cineplex Odeon Westmount & VIP Cinemas, 755 Wonderland Road S
• London: SilverCity London Cinemas, 1680 Richmond Street
• Markham: Cineplex Odeon First Markham Place Cinemas, 3275 Highway 7
• Mississauga: SilverCity Mississauga Cinemas, 3055 Vega Boulevard
• Newmarket: SilverCity Newmarket Cinemas, 18151 Yonge Street
• Niagara Falls: Cineplex Odeon Niagara Square Cinemas, 7555 Montrose Road
• Oakville: SilverCity Oakville Cinemas, 3531 Wyecroft Road
• Orillia: Galaxy Cinemas Orillia, 865 West Ridge Boulevard
• Oshawa: Cineplex Odeon Oshawa Cinemas, 1351 Grandview Street N
• Ottawa: Cineplex Odeon South Keys Cinemas, 2214 Bank Street
• Owen Sound: Galaxy Cinemas Owen Sound, 1020 10th Street
• Peterborough: Galaxy Cinemas Peterborough, 320 Water Street
• Richmond Hill: SilverCity Richmond Hill Cinemas, 8725 Yonge Street
• Sault Ste. Marie: Galaxy Cinemas Sault Ste. Marie, 293 Bay Street
• Scarborough: Cineplex Odeon Eglinton Town Centre Cinemas, 22 Lebovic Avenue
• Sudbury: SilverCity Sudbury Cinemas, 355 Barrydowne Road
• Thunder Bay: SilverCity Thunder Bay Cinemas, 850 North May Street
• Toronto: Cineplex Odeon Sheppard Cinemas, 4861 Yonge Street
• Toronto: Cineplex Odeon Varsity Cinemas, 55 Bloor Street W
• Waterloo: Galaxy Cinemas Waterloo, 550 King Street N
• Windsor: Cineplex Odeon Devonshire Mall Cinemas, 3100 Howard Avenue