Strava acquires Runna to expand into running training plans

Strava has announced the acquisition of UK-based training app Runna, a move that signals the company’s intent to expand its offerings in the competitive running space. The deal brings Runna’s personalized coaching technology under Strava’s umbrella as the fitness platform looks to address long-standing gaps in its services.

Founded in 2022, Runna provides structured training plans for runners preparing for events such as 5Ks, 10Ks, and marathons. The app claims millions of users worldwide and has seen rapid growth in both funding and team size. Despite its relatively recent launch, Runna has become widely used among runners looking for goal-oriented guidance.

Strava CEO Michael Martin said the acquisition is about “growth and investment,” following what the company described as “unprecedented” usage in 2024, with nearly a billion runs recorded. Strava has historically lacked modern, built-in training plans—something Martin acknowledged had become a recurring issue for users seeking more than just tracking tools.

The companies stated that both apps will continue operating separately for now. Strava plans to invest in Runna’s development and team, while exploring ways to integrate features between the two platforms. There is no timeline yet for when users might begin to see coordinated functionality.

Dom Maskell, Runna’s co-founder and CEO, noted that current workflows often require users to switch between apps—Runna for training plans and Strava for route tracking. The acquisition could lead to tighter integration, although specifics remain undecided.

Subscription pricing may prove to be a sticking point for some users. Strava’s premium service costs $79.99 annually, while Runna charges $119.99. The companies have yet to clarify how or if these pricing models will be adjusted following the acquisition. In the past, changes to Strava’s subscription structure have drawn criticism from its user base, and similar concerns are expected here.

Strava’s history with acquisitions has been mixed. While Recover Athletics, an injury-prevention app, remained a standalone product with added features for Strava subscribers, the FATMAP app was shut down after being acquired in 2023. Some users responded negatively to that decision, and Strava appears to be taking a more cautious approach with Runna, at least for now.

The acquisition also ties into Strava’s broader developer ecosystem. Runna had already been using Strava’s API, which connects more than 100 third-party apps. Strava says it plans to continue supporting developers across the board, even as it brings a former API partner in-house.

Neither company disclosed the financial terms of the deal, but it’s expected that Runna’s early investors will see a significant return. The deal is still subject to standard closing procedures, and it remains to be seen how users will respond once integration plans take clearer shape.