From newbie runners, to seasoned trail athletes and beyond, if you’re struggling to find the perfect gift for the runner in your life, this hobby comes hand in hand with a whole range of exciting gifts to suit all budgets. Whether you’re looking to start small with a pair of running socks to fill up their stocking, or you’re ready to splurge on a serious piece of smart-tech that’ll help them keep track of their running journey, there’s something guaranteed to bring a smile to their face at Start Fitness.
Below, we’ve put together an extensive list of our best gifts for runners to help inspire your search. Whether you're shopping for Christmas, a birthday, or any special occasion, our collection features gifts tailored to everyone, from beginners just starting out on their running journey, to experienced runners preparing for their next big race. Keep reading as we guide you through the top gift ideas for runners in 2024/25.
The best gifts for beginner runners
A beginner runner may not be completely set on one goal and may not know which style of running will suit them best. They may start with the goal of reaching long distances, but perhaps later decide that they prefer focusing on time records and speed after a while.
Running shoes
An ideal gift for a beginner is a new pair of running shoes, as this is an essential item at the core of their journey. Running shoes are always a thoughtful and practical choice and are sure to delight your loved one. A high-quality pair provides extra comfort and stability, supporting their feet to help them go the extra mile.
The Puma Magmax running shoes are a great choice for a beginner. The NITROFOAM cushioning offers explosive energy and sublime comfort while the durable outer sole offers multi-surface traction that will feel supportive in all weather conditions - making it great for beginners who are still trying to find their footing.
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| Puma MagMax Nitro Womens Running Shoes - Green £169.90 | Puma MagMax Nitro Mens Running Shoes - Green £169.90 |
A running vest
Doubling up as a great way to stay visible in low light conditions and acting as a convenient place to store all essentials on the go, a reliable running vest makes for a thoughtful present for any beginner runner. This running vest from Six Peaks we particularly love, thanks to its dedicated phone holder space for secure storage and easy access for answering calls and changing songs as you switch tempos - this gift is sure to be one to impress any beginner runner!
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| Six Peaks Running Vest With Phone Holder - Black £21.90 |
Looking for further gift inspiration for the budding runner in your life? Take a look at our Beginner’s Running Essentials collection for more great ideas for all budgets.
The best gifts for experienced runners
If you’re looking for an option suited to a more experienced runner then you’ll want something that caters to their goals and specific running style. For example, avoid grabbing trail running shoes if the person you’re gifting to tends to run on paths and roads.
If you're unsure about the best gift to support their running journey, don’t worry! We’re here to help. Our guide of diverse gift ideas for experienced runners is tailored to various goals, needs, and running styles, making it easy to find the perfect present they’ll get plenty of use out of.
A GPS running watch
A great gift idea for any experienced runner would be a feature-packed smartwatch. A running watch is the perfect tool for going the extra mile to track trails, distance and progress. The Coros PACE Pro GPS Sport Watch is a great option to consider gifting, as this clever GPS watch provides pinpoint accurate results with a wide range of data points, tracking everything from sleep, heart rate and recovery, to providing route maps, and bespoke training plans - perfect for any runner who wants to smash their goals and gain a deeper understanding of their activity.
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| Coros PACE Pro GPS Sport Watch - Black £348.90 |
Gifts for distance runners
Distance runners are often experienced athletes, and as such, choosing a gift that’ll fit their requirements often means going the extra mile. However, we’d recommend the adidas Adizero Pro 3 running shoes as a great place to start your research. These running shoes are made to help break records and are crafted finely with lightweight materials so that they can rack up extra miles with ease. They’re perfect for your loved ones who are gearing up for an upcoming race or a marathon and need some reliable shoes to get them across the finish line. We particularly love the LIGHTSTRIKE PRO cushioning, as this comfortable support, paired with rubber outsoles provides that all-important bounce you need while running long distances.
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| adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 Running Shoes - Blue £197.90 | adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 Running Shoes - White £197.90 |
Gifts for trail runners
Trail runners will need shoes that provide them with plenty of grip while they take on a variety of both uneven and muddy terrains. A great example of trail running shoes that would make a great gift for a loved one is the Inov8 MudTalon Speed Trail Running Shoes. Built for running fast over unstable ground and steep hills, give the gift of increased stability and optimal comfort with these high-quality trail running trainers.
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| INOV8 MudTalon Speed Mens Trail Running Shoes - Black £116.90 | INOV8 MudTalon Speed Women's Trail Running Shoes - Red £116.90 |
Gifts to suit all runners
If you’re still searching for the perfect gift but don’t want to risk it by gifting a pair of trainers that might not be suitable, there are plenty of other runner-approved gifts that would bring joy to even the most seasoned runners at Start Fitness. Keep reading as we run through our foolproof recommendations that pair up as thoughtful gifts for the runner in your life.
Fitness tech
Any runner is likely going to want to track their progress, as monitoring running efforts can help to keep them motivated. If they already have a smartwatch but are looking for more precise heart rate monitoring data then we would suggest the Coros heart rate monitor. This clever device works alongside your GPS watch to offer accurate data to help your loved one track their workouts. It’s complete with a snug wrist fit for security and up to 38 hours of battery life, with a sensor to power off when it’s no longer being worn. This little piece of technology is the perfect way to help support their goals so they can take their running one step further.
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| Coros Heart Rate Monitor - Grey £68.90 |
A quality pair of running socks
We know a lot of people think getting socks for Christmas is boring, but hear us out! Without a reliable pair of running socks, runners might experience discomfort and have to cut their runs short, which can affect how quickly they’re able to reach their goals. So, in this case, gifting socks as a present is actually a very thoughtful and simple way to show you support their hobby.
If you’re looking for a high-quality option, we would suggest the More Mile running socks. They’re made with durable materials and shock-absorbing technology to prevent blisters and protect the joints for optimal performance.
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| More Mile London (5 Pack) Mens Running Socks - Multi £10 | More Mile London (5 Pack) Womens Running Socks - Multi £10 |
Supportive running clothing
Running clothes are another great choice for a gift likely to support them all year round. If it’s winter, then perhaps grab them some warmer gear such as a running beanie or a pair of gloves, or give them the gift of comfort ahead of a summer marathon with a pair of running shorts or a breathable vest top.
We recommend our Ronhill running clothes collection where you can find a wide variety of potential gifts for runners. For example, if you’re looking to gift a simple yet effective accessory, then the Ronhill reflective running belt is a great choice for any runner to aid visibility and provide 360º reflectivity.
There are also some great choices for jackets to help keep them warm and dry in the colder months such as the Ronhill Tech Fortify Running Jacket. Not only is this jacket waterproof but it’s also made from breathable materials to prevent overheating.
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| Ronhill Tech Fortify Mens Running Jacket - Black £156.90 | Ronhill Tech Fortify Womens Running Jacket - Purple £156.90 |
Discover the best gifts for runners with Start Fitness.
Here at Start Fitness, we’ve got something to suit every runner. Whether you’re sticking to a spending limit for your Secret Santa and want to browse our huge running sale collection, or you’re looking to splash out on something special, we’ve got a dedicated running shop with everything they could need.