Strava acquires UK’s RUNNA Training App – First Thoughts

This is a game changer.

Runna is a UK-based running app, and Strava has just acquired it.

What is Runna

Runna is a popular UK running app, offering running plans on the Android and iOS platforms. It claims to have over 90,000 users, though I suspect the figure is higher. More than that, it has a pretty decent watchOS app and the backing of credible athletes like Beth Potter (UK), Colleen Quigley (USA) and Genevieve Gregson (AUS). People love it.

Strategic Fit

Coming off Strava’s accelerated innovation and unprecedented growth last year, it was the right time to look for complementary businesses that could create even greater value for our users…Running is booming worldwide — nearly 1 billion runs were recorded on Strava in 2024. [M Martin, Strava CEO]

Strava has recognised the recent uptick in running, probably driven by a younger generation and has decided it wants to hook them into its ecosystem right from the get-go — a good move.

From a techy perspective, the old Strava app for watchOS was fine when it came out about two millennia ago, but hasn’t changed since. The company also acquired Runna’s highly respected watchOS app, which it will likely rebadge as Strava at some point in the future.

I suspect that Strava’s existing subscription service was chugging along but not offering anything new to entice new people to pay money. Strava was probably innovating its subscription tier just to keep cycling subscribers. Well, they acquired a new way to get running subscribers hooked with training and coaching services — likely, another great move.

All that said, since the acquisition announcement, Runna has stated that it will remain operationally independent.

For now, the apps will stay separate. [M Martin, Strava CEO]

For now!

Other Nice Features

RUNNA has parkrun-specific features for those wanting to participate in weekly parkrun 5K events. Parkrun has over 10 million unique finishers worldwide.

The app covers treadmill and outdoor workouts and doesn’t need a watch. If you want to use the smartphone app, you can also pair a heart rate strap to it. Runna works with Fitbit, Garmin, Suunto, Coros and Apple Watches to sync Runna workouts to execute on your watch. It also syncs your completed workout back to Strava and Apple Health. Your workouts can be planned into your Google and Outlook calendars. There is also local weather info.

2x subscriptions

The two apps are separate right now, so if you want to enjoy both, you must pay $119.99pa for Runna and $79.99pa for Strava. Strava must initially plan to cross-sell its new product to its existing customers and, of course, to introduce a new generation of Runna’s runners to Strava. Presumably, there will soon be discounts if you subscribe to both.

The Downside

Runna claims to have deeply individualised plans with dynamic adjustment to progress. It also boasts real-time audio cues and science-backed strength and conditioning. That is good, but it’s no different to what many other apps and platforms have offered for a few years.

Only a relatively small percentage of runners follow a plan. Furthermore, there is a lot of competition for those people’s money. Even worse, people don’t want to pay much for a plan.

Perhaps the best angle that Strava/Runna could push would be for Daily Suggested Workouts. But of course, another company has already covered that nicely…Garmin — the market-leader — offers Daily Suggested Workouts for free.

RUNNA has Gen 1 adaptability (TRIMP/TL) – Garmin has Gen 2 (HRV) – others have Gen 3 (AI/ML)

Take Out

A good acquisition by Strava. A good strategic fit that will resonate with a large part of its existing customer base and attract new subscribers. Whether or not it’s a profitable acquisition is another matter entirely. I really look forward to seeing where Strava will take Runna.

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Last Updated on 28 May 2026 by the5krunner

the5krunner

tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. ID