When the figure in a blue, skintight bodysuit and tinted ski goggles appears in left field between innings at Atlanta Braves home games, the crowd stands up and even opposing pitchers exit the bull pen to witness, perhaps, the greatest on-field action in the MLB this season (besides the baseball, of course). A fan waiting in the dirt next to the besuited figure sprints when signaled. The figure waits more than five seconds before bolting—closing the cavernous gap in a scene straight from a road Runner Cartoon. If the fan wins the roughly 175-meter race to the opposing foul pole, they earn a RaceTrac convenience store gift card. Despite the generous head start, they rarely do.

While inside the suit, the figure is called The Freeze—a marketing promo to sell a frozen drink turned viral sensation. Outside the suit, he’s Nigel Talton, a 26-year-old member of the stadium’s grounds crew. Talton will graduate from Kennesaw State University in December, where he’s been a track standout with a 10.35 PR in the 100 meters. He nearly qualified for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials, but has yet to earn a sponsorship and turn pro. So to pay the bills, he leaned on his job at SunTrust Park. When his bosses discovered his blazing talent, they asked him to don the suit and race a fan on opening day. The Freeze’s exploits have since earned him national attention, an appearance at the MLB All-Star Game, and hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube. Now, while Talton showcases his speed in the outfield, he’s hoping that fame will transfer to the track.

AP Photo/John Bazemore

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“The attention right now is a little weird. It’s the biggest audience I’ve ever had for running.”

“The outfit doesn’t affect me. I’m used to running in onepiece track suits. As for those big goggles, I just picture myself wearing shades.”

Logan Riely/Beam Imagination/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images

“Fans put up a good challenge. But once I get around the warning track curve, I know precisely when I will catch them.”

“It feels good when I pass them. People in the stands stand and cheer. I love that reaction.”

AP Photo/John Bazemore

“I think being The Freeze is going to help my running career. I hope someone will have faith in me like I have faith in myself.”

“I’ve told The Braves they should make me a pinch runner! Maybe that money can help my track career. Maybe.”

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