Christmas gifts for runners: a practical guide

Buying for a runner looks easy until you try it. They are fussy about shoes, they already own a watch, and they have more race tees than they will ever wear. The best running gifts tend to fall into two groups: things they use up, and things that mark something they did. This guide covers both, plus how to time it so the gift arrives before Christmas Day.

We make custom race map posters at Athlete Prints, so one of the ideas below is ours. The rest are ideas we would be happy to get ourselves.

First, work out what kind of runner they are

  • The new runner. They have just finished a first 5K, parkrun or half marathon. Encouragement matters more than kit.
  • The marathoner. They follow a training plan and have a goal race on the calendar. They care about recovery and race day.
  • The trail and ultra runner. They measure runs in hours and climbs. They value anything that helps on long days, and they remember every big race.
  • The triathlete. Three sports, three sets of kit, and very little spare time.

Gifts they will use up

These are safe because runners go through them fast:

  • Good running socks. Socks wear out quickly and few people buy themselves enough. Ask a training partner which brand they like.
  • A sports massage or physio session. Most runners carry a niggle somewhere. A booked session at a local clinic is a gift they will actually use.
  • Fuel for long runs. Gels, chews and electrolyte drinks are personal, so check what they already use before buying a box.
  • A race entry. If you know the event they want to do next year, paying the entry fee is a big, simple gift. Check whether entries can be transferred before you buy.

Gifts that mark what they did

Medals end up in drawers. These keep the achievement in sight:

  • A custom race map poster. A print of the course they ran, with their name, the date and their finish time. Many big races are already mapped, such as the London Marathon, New York Marathon, Sydney Marathon and City2Surf. For trail runners there is Western States 100 and Ultra-Trail Australia 100K. Any other run works from a GPX file or Strava activity. See gifts for runners.
  • A medal display. A hanger or frame gets medals out of the drawer and onto the wall.
  • A printed race photo. Race photographers sell high-resolution images after most big events. A framed print of the finish line moment is a lovely surprise.

Gifts by type of runner

For a new runner: a print of their first race, framed so it is ready to hang. It tells them the effort counted. Our marathon finisher gifts page has the courses we have mapped.

For a marathoner: recovery help (massage, a foam roller they have asked for) or a course poster of the marathon they finished this year with the official time on it.

For a trail or ultra runner: a route poster of their ultra. The full line through the mountains says more than a finish time alone. See gifts for trail runners.

For a triathlete: a poster with the swim, bike and run side by side, with the splits for each leg. See gifts for triathletes.

What to skip

  • Running shoes, unless they have told you the exact model and size. Fit is personal, and the wrong pair goes back.
  • Generic "runner" novelty items. They have usually been given the mug already.
  • Big gadgets they have not asked for. Watches and headphones are very personal choices.

How to keep a personalised gift a surprise

You do not need their Strava password. For races we have already mapped, pick the race page and type in the details you know: a title, the race date and their finish time. Official finish times are usually on the race results website, searchable by name. For a run we have not mapped, a training partner, coach or club mate can often send you the GPX file.

To post it straight to them, enter their address as the shipping address at checkout and use your own details for billing.

Quick answers

What is the best Christmas gift for a runner? Something that marks a race they finished, or something they use up quickly, such as socks or a massage.

What should I not buy a runner? Shoes they have not chosen, and big gadgets they have not asked for.

How do I get a custom print without spoiling the surprise? Use a race page we have already mapped and add their official finish time from the results website.