This morning Strava introduced the acquisition of Runna. Clearly, everybody is aware of who Strava is, however some may not know of Runna. It’s comparatively new, from 2021, and largely focuses on coaching plans for…nicely…runners. This consists of automated 5K/10KM/half marathon, and marathon coaching plans. The app is successfully premium solely and expenses $119/12 months, following a free 7-day trial (technically you are able to do the primary week of any coaching plan free of charge, however virtually talking that’s kinda ineffective past mentioned first week).
Runna Shortly Defined:
The best way Runna works is that you simply give it some particulars about your operating expertise (e.g., what number of miles/KM you run per week, previous expertise with structured intervals, and so forth…), inform it your race targets (distance and time), after which give it some particulars on which days you possibly can prepare and your most popular long term day. You’ll additionally specify the precise race/occasion date.
From there, it’ll spit out a coaching plan to fulfill that purpose, and might account for the variety of days every week you wish to run. These plans embody structured intervals, simple days, long term days, and so forth…
As well as, Runna can hook up with third get together watches and push these structured exercises to mentioned watches. This consists of Apple Watch, Garmin, COROS, Fitbit, and Suunto. While you configure this, your watch will obtain the structured exercise with detailed step-by-step directions for every portion of the exercise. Primarily sending you exercises identical to different platforms, similar to TrainingPeaks, Last Surge, and so forth.
Runna claimed to have 90,000 members finally depend, and whereas some have touted how excessive up it’s on the App Retailer, it’s really not tremendous excessive. It at present sits at #36 within the Well being & Health sub-category rating on iOS. Which means that, sure, it’s constructed a nice enterprise, nevertheless it’s hardly a family title.
So, why does Strava wish to purchase it? Effectively, the corporate did a bunch of interviews previous to right now’s announcement with varied media shops, explaining their logic. That’s helpful, given their very own press launch kinda omits something in the best way of rationalization/causes. Although in that press launch, they did seemingly promise to not block different coaching apps from utilizing their API:
“Over 100 coaching apps at present hook up with Strava’s API as a way to present customers with enhanced options and performance. Strava stays firmly dedicated to sustaining this function because the open platform for health and to supporting all builders, alongside Runna.”
Clearly, there’s zero historic cause to imagine that promise long-term, given the mass API removals final fall, and Strava’s long-standing coverage of shutting down entry to third get together apps that discover themselves finally competing with a portion of Strava’s ever-growing platform (it’s actually written within the API settlement that apps will not be allowed to compete with Strava options).
Setting that apart, although, Strava’s CEO took to Reddit this morning to reply some questions, and was most likely probably the most clear-cut there, out of any of the opposite interviews I learn, saying the next (it’s value a learn, particularly for FATMAP peeps):
“Buying Runna provides you much more instruments that can assist you obtain your operating targets. That is only the start, and there may be rather more to come back (together with for cyclists–keep tuned!).
A few of you may have introduced up the FATMAP acquisition from 2 years in the past. The Runna acquisition is totally different. Strava acquired FATMAP for the mapping know-how and the gifted workforce. It took far longer than very best to combine that know-how into the Strava app. Now the map tab in Strava is powered by the FATMAP tech. With the launch of winter map imagery, we’re largely performed migrating the related FATMAP options over to Strava. The final main characteristic is downloadable maps and that’s coming later this 12 months. I do know it’s onerous for the previous FATMAP app customers to listen to this, however the standalone FATMAP app had only a few customers and the enterprise was not viable. If FATMAP hadn’t been bought it wouldn’t exist in any type right now. However the FATMAP workforce, the tech and lots of the options stay on in Strava. Runna is an incredible product, wonderful workforce and a powerful (rising and sustainable) enterprise. Strava is buying Runna for all three elements, with the intention to help its additional growth and development.” – Mike Martin, CEO Strava
In an interview with each The Verge and T3, he explains that the plan for the quick time period is to run these apps individually. In The Verge interview, Mike says:
“Successfully, nothing modifications for the person out of the gate. Our plan with this acquisition is to speculate additional into rising the Runna app, put money into the Runna workforce, after which proceed to function them as unbiased however in an built-in style”
That clearly is sensible for now, although I don’t assume that’s a remotely sustainable answer long-term. Once more, Strava’s personal historical past makes that clear. The truth is, within the subsequent line in that Verge piece, Runna’s CEO (additionally interviewed), states that going backwards and forwards between the apps for various capabilities isn’t very best, saying: “For the time being, the person sort of will get handed off numerous instances.”
They famous that they haven’t found out tips on how to reconcile the subscription piece, which is $79/12 months for Strava, however $119/12 months for Runna.
Going Ahead:
Clearly, neither firm revealed how a lot Strava paid as a part of the acquisition. On one hand, Runna’s product is nicely refined, seems clear, and pushes nicely into the operating watch business. On the similar time, in 2025, apps doing AI-generated coaching plans are a dime a dozen. I get quite a few e-mail affords per week to overview AI coaching plan apps, and operating is frankly one of many best of the sports activities to do that for (with triathlon being probably the most troublesome). Whereas generic AI is hardly excellent, generally, it delivers fairly good coaching plan suggestions.
Level being, an organization that might dynamically create and adapt coaching plans for runners, maybe 5 years in the past, was a notable accomplishment – as of late, it’s hardly distinctive. As an alternative, what’s most likely extra helpful for Strava right here is the employees and the modest however “sustainable” person base. Which means that Strava can successfully combine this know-how into it’s important app over time, with out taking a monetary hit so long as they don’t piss off Runna customers (who will preserve paying, and possibly broaden with the extra consideration.)
In that sense, it’s a wise acquisition, assuming Strava didn’t overpay (and I do not know both approach in the event that they did or didn’t). Whereas the present enterprise surroundings remains to be considerably dicey for high-priced acquisitions, the fact is we do proceed to see some crazy-pants valuations tossed round, and extra importantly, corporations really paying crazy-pants costs for corporations (similar to Komoot, not too long ago).
Finally, solely time will inform right here whether or not or not Strava can correctly combine Runna. Ultimately, if Strava can really pull the core elements of the coaching plan items into Strava’s important app, I’d take into account {that a} win. Something wanting that, although, is only a distraction. Hopefully, for Strava customers, they will pull it off.
With that – thanks for studying!
FOUND THIS POST USEFUL? SUPPORT THE SITE!
Hopefully, you discovered this put up helpful. The web site is mostly a labor of affection, so please take into account changing into a DC RAINMAKER Supporter. This will get you an ad-free expertise, and entry to our (principally) bi-monthly behind-the-scenes video collection of “Shed Talkin’”.
Help DCRainMaker – Store on Amazon
In any other case, maybe think about using the under hyperlink if purchasing on Amazon. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. It doesn’t value you something further, however your purchases assist help this web site lots. It may merely be shopping for bathroom paper, or this pizza oven we use and love.
