Strava's Acquisition of Runna: A Boost for Runners Worldwide

Strava's Strategic Acquisition of Runna

In a significant move for the global fitness community, Strava, the popular app for active individuals, announced the acquisition of Runna, a leading British-based running application specializing in personalized training and coaching plans. This acquisition represents a strategic alignment between the largest fitness community in the world and a top competitor in the fast-evolving running app landscape. By joining forces, both companies aim to create added value for their users and stakeholders.

Michael Martin, the CEO of Strava, emphasized the necessity of this acquisition following an accelerated innovation period and unprecedented growth last year. In 2024, nearly one billion runs were recorded on Strava, showcasing the escalating popularity of running among users across the globe. Martin stated, "The growth of running is evident, and with nearly a billion runs logged, it was the perfect time to integrate Runna’s tailored approach into our ecosystem. Runna caters to every runner’s unique goals, which aligns perfectly with our mission."

The trend of increasing participation in running events aligns with data from Strava's Year In Sport report, which highlights running as the sport with the highest growth globally. The generation Z demographic is increasingly drawn towards running as a means of building community connections. Recent findings reveal that 43% of Strava users expressed interest in participating in major races or events in 2025. As a result, the demand for customized training plans has surged, prompting many athletes to seek tailored advice to enhance their performance.

Dom Maskell, co-founder and CEO of Runna, expressed excitement about the acquisition, stating, "Joining Strava allows us to focus even more on providing the most personalized training plans for runners worldwide. We are thrilled to be part of Strava’s tremendous team and look forward to enriching the experience for runners everywhere."

Ben Parker, also a co-founder, echoed Maskell’s sentiments, emphasizing the potential of this partnership to elevate Runna’s offerings further. As part of the integration, Martin noted that while Strava aims to maintain both apps separately for the immediate future, there are plans to invest in bolstering the Runna team and enhancing the app’s features.

Furthermore, Strava's acquisition is part of its broader initiatives aimed at innovating for its extensive user base, which consists of over 150 million registered users. Currently, over 100 training applications are linked to Strava’s API, providing users with enhanced features and functionalities. Martin reiterated Strava's commitment to remaining an open platform for fitness and supporting developers like Runna.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, with additional details remaining undisclosed. This acquisition marks a pivotal moment for both Strava and Runna as they aim to cater to the growing needs of runners around the world.

About Strava

Strava is more than an app for tracking workouts; it's a global community of over 150 million athletes across more than 185 countries. Users engage with the app not only to log their training sessions but to connect, collaborate, and celebrate each accomplishment. Strava invites everyone, regardless of sport, to join their platform and start making the most of their training journeys. For more information, visit Strava’s official website.

About Runna

Founded in 2021, Runna has swiftly become one of the leading running coaching applications globally, available on both iOS and Android. After its official launch in March 2022, Runna successfully supported millions of runners in completing their first races. Currently, the app operates in over 180 countries and has been recognized as one of the top three finalists for Apple’s App of Year 2024. To learn more about Runna and stay updated, follow them on Instagram, Reddit, and LinkedIn.

This acquisition is set to enhance the fitness landscape, offering even more resources and tailored experiences to runners aiming to achieve their personal bests.