Washington, D.C.-based developer Imangi Studios has upped the pace of its Temple Run sequel by enlisting the world’s fastest man Usain Bolt as the first branded, playable character to be featured within the hugely successful mobile game IP.

Imangi’s global licensing agency Dimensional Branding Group secured the partnership with the six-time Olympic gold medalist whose likeness is now available as a US$0.99 in-app purchase for Temple Run 2 on iOS and Android platforms.

The 3D-rendered character comes decked out in his signature yellow and green Jamaican track suit and has special abilities that allow him to run at record-breaking speeds.

When Temple Run 2 was released in January, it set a record of more than 50 million downloads in 13 days and to date, the original Temple Run combined with its sequel have been downloaded more than 500 million times.

The IP has expanded into apparel, publishing, digital comics, and card and board games thanks to deals by Dimensional Branding, Lisle International for Europe, Wild Pumpkin for Australia and Empire Multimedia for Pan China.

Collaborations with Disney also brought spin-off apps Temple Run: Brave and Temple: Run Oz to market.