Strava Acquires Runna: Expanding Fitness Training
## Strava Expands Fitness Empire with Acquisition of Runna
Strava, the popular social fitness network, announced the acquisition of Runna, a leading personalized running training app. The deal, finalized in April 2025, unites Strava’s vast fitness community with Runna’s AI-powered coaching platform, aiming to enhance user experience and capitalize on the booming global running market.
Strava CEO Michael Martin cited the company’s “unprecedented growth” in 2024, highlighted by nearly 1 billion runs recorded on the platform, as a catalyst for the acquisition. He emphasized that Runna’s focus on personalized training plans perfectly complements Strava's existing offerings, addressing a key area previously lacking in its services. Martin stated that the acquisition is a "growth and investment play," not an efficiency measure, signaling a commitment to expanding Runna's capabilities.
Runna, founded in 2021 and launched officially in March 2022, has rapidly gained popularity, boasting millions of users in over 180 countries and reaching finalist status for Apple’s App of the Year in 2024. Co-founders Dom Maskell and Ben Parker expressed excitement about joining Strava, highlighting their shared passion for providing runners with customized training and coaching. They emphasized that the partnership will accelerate Runna's development and benefit runners worldwide.
While financial details remain undisclosed, the acquisition is expected to result in a significant payout for Runna's early investors. Both Strava and Runna will operate independently in the near term, with planned future integration. Strava intends to invest in expanding Runna's team and enhancing its app features. The companies acknowledge potential user concerns regarding subscription changes, given Strava’s existing premium tier and Runna’s separate subscription model. Maskell highlighted a commitment to transparent communication with users, promising to address concerns openly.
This acquisition follows Strava's previous purchases of fitness apps, including Recover Athletics in 2022. However, unlike the integration of FATMAP in 2024 which resulted in the app's closure, Strava plans to maintain Runna as a separate app, at least initially. Strava's commitment to its API developer community, currently supporting over 100 training apps, is also highlighted, reinforcing its position as an open platform for fitness. The long-term integration strategy remains to be seen, but the acquisition marks a significant step for Strava in expanding its services within the rapidly growing fitness market.
Strava, the popular social fitness network, announced the acquisition of Runna, a leading personalized running training app. The deal, finalized in April 2025, unites Strava’s vast fitness community with Runna’s AI-powered coaching platform, aiming to enhance user experience and capitalize on the booming global running market.
Strava CEO Michael Martin cited the company’s “unprecedented growth” in 2024, highlighted by nearly 1 billion runs recorded on the platform, as a catalyst for the acquisition. He emphasized that Runna’s focus on personalized training plans perfectly complements Strava's existing offerings, addressing a key area previously lacking in its services. Martin stated that the acquisition is a "growth and investment play," not an efficiency measure, signaling a commitment to expanding Runna's capabilities.
Runna, founded in 2021 and launched officially in March 2022, has rapidly gained popularity, boasting millions of users in over 180 countries and reaching finalist status for Apple’s App of the Year in 2024. Co-founders Dom Maskell and Ben Parker expressed excitement about joining Strava, highlighting their shared passion for providing runners with customized training and coaching. They emphasized that the partnership will accelerate Runna's development and benefit runners worldwide.
While financial details remain undisclosed, the acquisition is expected to result in a significant payout for Runna's early investors. Both Strava and Runna will operate independently in the near term, with planned future integration. Strava intends to invest in expanding Runna's team and enhancing its app features. The companies acknowledge potential user concerns regarding subscription changes, given Strava’s existing premium tier and Runna’s separate subscription model. Maskell highlighted a commitment to transparent communication with users, promising to address concerns openly.
This acquisition follows Strava's previous purchases of fitness apps, including Recover Athletics in 2022. However, unlike the integration of FATMAP in 2024 which resulted in the app's closure, Strava plans to maintain Runna as a separate app, at least initially. Strava's commitment to its API developer community, currently supporting over 100 training apps, is also highlighted, reinforcing its position as an open platform for fitness. The long-term integration strategy remains to be seen, but the acquisition marks a significant step for Strava in expanding its services within the rapidly growing fitness market.
