• Loading stock data...
Monday, October 27, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here

Strava Gobbles Up A.I. Coaching App Runna

Strava is buying smaller U.K. peer Runna as part of a continued push to outpace competing fitness apps.

marathon
The Knoxville News-Sentinel

Strava is buying U.K. tech company Runna, the latest in a string of acquisitions aimed at distinguishing itself from competitors like MyFitnessPal and Fitbit.

The San Francisco exercise-tracking app boasts more than 150 million users across 185 countries, according to its website. Runna claimed in 2023 to have “hundreds of thousands” of users.

Runna had grown dramatically in popularity in recent years by offering personalized coaching plans that it says are “powered” by artificial intelligence.

The deal “unites the world’s largest fitness community with a leading app in the fiercely competitive running training space,” the companies said in a Thursday statement. 

The deal is meant to give Strava users feedback and insights on their activities in real time.

While Strava intends to integrate Runna’s technology, both brand names will continue to be available as independent apps, the companies said. Both Strava and Runna offer free versions of their app as well as paid subscriptions that provide additional features.

The deal follows a few other relatively recent acquisitions for Strava. In 2023, it bought 3D mapping platform Fatmap, and before that it purchased injury prevention app Recover Athletics.

The fitness app industry is in a transformative phase thanks to the rise of technology like AI. Last year, Canadian market research firm Emergen said the overall fitness app market, which in 2022 was valued at $8.21 billion, is expected to reach nearly $40 billion by 2032. Emergen counts MyFitnessPal, Fitbit, Nike Run Club, RunKeeper and more among Strava’s competitors.

Financial details of the Runna acquisition were not disclosed. A representative for Strava declined to comment on the value of the deal, and representatives for Runna did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A report in U.K. publication The Times said “it is thought” that early investors in Runna will “net a 30-fold return on their investment.” As of late 2023, Runna had raised a total of 8 million pounds since its 2021 founding.

The deal was not met with universal praise from Runna users. A Reddit thread about the deal started Thursday by Dom Maskell, co-founder and CEO of Runna, quickly racked up more than 200 comments, some of which were congratulatory while others were suspect. Users expressed worries about the app eventually becoming more expensive and clunky. Their fears are not unfounded. Last year, Fatmap was fully integrated into Strava and ceased being its own app.

Strava’s paid service starts at $11.99 per month or $79.99 for a whole year; Runna’s paid service begins at $19.99 per month or $119.99 for a whole year. In 2023, Strava apologized for a rollout of a price hike that was widely seen as confusing. The company also said last year that it had taken steps to improve its privacy controls after a report that politicians’ locations could be easily tracked through the app. 

.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 16, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups gives instructions to his team during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center.

Chauncey Billups Is Rare Pro Coach Involved in Gambling Scandal

The recent string of gambling scandals have centered on athletes.
Oct 12, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) takes the field prior to a game against the Detroit Lions at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Can Travis Kelce Save Six Flags From Free Fall?

The NFL star joined an activist investor in pushing for change.
draftkings
exclusive

DraftKings Is Paying Up to $250M for Prediction-Market Railbird

The deal was announced Tuesday, but financials weren’t disclosed.
Sports are shown on TVs behind a bar as guests enjoy the grand opening of DraftKings Sports & Social in Ohio.

DraftKings Buys Prediction-Markets Platform but No Sports Just Yet

Front Office Sports reported DraftKings was in talks to buy Railbird in August.

Featured Today

September 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium

NFL Fall Meeting: 7 Big Topics Among Team Owners 

Media, facilities, and labor highlight some of the key areas of concern.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Isaiah West (32) runs the ball in the second half at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin
October 25, 2025

NIL Has Birthed a Third-Party Cottage Industry—and It’s a Mess

There’s no limit to how much players can make from NIL deals.
Christie's
October 21, 2025

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
Sep 25, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics lead owner and governor Bill Chisholm speaks during a press conference at Auerbach Center.

The NBA’s Expanding Private-Equity Footprint

There is a PE connection of some kind for 20 of 30 teams.
Jason Belzer
October 17, 2025

College Sports Is ‘Too Big of an Opportunity’

Panelists at the Asset Class summit agreed college sports is the next frontier.
Oct 5, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees smiles prior to the game against the New York Giants at Caesars Superdome.
October 21, 2025

Drew Brees Flag Football League Sells to PE Amid Youth Boom

Football ‘N’ America operates 24 flag football leagues across the country.
Sponsored

How HOKA is Reimagining the NIL Relationship

Fans can now follow their favorite golfers and experience every marquee moment at the Ryder Cup — thanks to innovation from T-Mobile.
Jon Ledecky
October 17, 2025

Islanders Owner Warns WNBA Against Labor Strife: ‘No Bueno’

Jon Ledecky drew a stark contrast between the two leagues.
Dave Checketts
October 17, 2025

Ex-Knicks President: When David Stern Accused Me of Skirting Cap

The Knicks walked away clean when accused of cap circumvention in the 1990s.
Mat Ishbia
October 14, 2025

Mat Ishbia Countersues Suns Minority Owners in Transparency Fight

He claims two minority partners are manufacturing a “contrived legal drama.”
October 14, 2025

Oura’s $11B Valuation Signals Leap From Sports to Defense

In addition to tracking athlete performance, Oura serves the federal government.