CONTEST ALERT – What as per you is a good/fun gift for a runner? Share in the comments and you can win a Frap belt (3 giveaways).
Whoever said running was a cheap sport was so wrong. Even though, I still believe that a good pair of running shoes and, in case of women, a sports bra, is all one needs to start running. But slowly the greed creeps in. And we runners love any and all gifts related to running and some we are absolutely crazy about. So here’s your guide to buying that perfect gift for any runner you are close to, depending on your budget of course.
Frap Belt
I was quite apprehensive about having a waist belt but I also feel the need to carry my phone, cash and car keys when I’m out. I gave it a shot recently and I didn’t even realise I was wearing one. It comes in nice bright colors and black. Priced at 1,399/-, Frap is an excellent gift especially for women.

The Frap (Image Courtesy – Vivek Gupta)
GPS watch
I love running without any gadget or watches. It frees my mind from thinking about distance or speed. But finally I decided to give in when I realised that on the race day, it does help to know how much you are clocking and adjust your pace accordingly.
So for a beginner runner, a simple watch with a stop and start button to time the run and measure run/walk intervals is enough. While a tech savvy and serious runner would prefer a more fancy watch that can track their heart rate and vo2 max, apart from the basics (time and distance). I’m using FR235, it has an inbuilt heart rate monitor and it can be used for biking as well. I love it even more as it doesn’t take any time for it to catch GPS signal. A Garmin can be priced anywhere between 8,000/- to 35,000/- depending on what you choose. I got my FR235 for 27,000.00/- and it’s every bit worth it.

That’s my FR235
Deep Tissue Massage – The spas are bloody expensive but a necessity post a marathon/long run. The runner will love you a little more with every “ooh” and “aah” if you manage to find a spa/masseuse which does good deep tissue massage. Anywhere between 1,500/- to 5,000/- (or may be more). But there are deals available on GroupOn and Snapdeal, just ensure that the spa has a good reputation. Oops no pics here;)
Tech-fit Tights –
I’m most comfortable in full length tights as I can run worry free (from the stares) and they also make me look a bit taller 😉 Most tights in the market are meant for training as well as running and are bit a heavy but these training tech fit tights (I’m wearing in the pic) are extremely light and fit very well (and doesn’t give me cameltoes). Also, the elastic band on the waist is soft so it doesn’t leave me chafed or with marks post a run. I can only imagine that Tech Fit tights/shorts for men would be equally good as it’s the fabric which is making all the difference here. The one I’m wearing are priced at 2,499/-.

adidas Tech Fit tights (Image Courtesy – Arun Bharadwaj)
Sony Mp3 – Because it’s wireless, water proof and comes with 4GB space. The sound clarity is great. The one I have was for 4,500/- but then I bought it a couple of years back. Right now it comes in the range of 6,000/- to 6,500/-.

Image Courtesy – Google, sony.co.in
Runcation – If there is anything that makes running more exhilarating, it’s the surrounding in which you run. When the world spreads out to you in an endless vista of pristine beauty, your feet wants to keep carrying you to the horizon. Be it the spectacular beaches of Greece or fresh mountain air of Ladakh, every runner fantasises of breaking the monotony in as grand a manner as possible, there is nothing bigger that you can give to a runner than a runcation. Needless to say that there is no upper limit to this but it can start for as low as 25,000/- for say Kaveri Trail Marathon or Mukteswar Half.

The big one on my list is Angkor Wat Half Marathon (Image Courtesy fcactivetravel.com)
14 Comments
Well..A pair of shoes obviously(If not for a barefooted runner).Nothing motivates a runner more than a fresh pair of shoes waiting to be broken into.. Plsss gimme the gift now…. ha ha 🙂
I feel anything personalised makes a great gift.. So for any racer , I would probably gift a – RACER wall of frame with their name and achievements engraved. ( possibly add great running pic of them too ) The runner would be able to pin his/her bibs and medals on the display to inspire self and more
Any running related book. Any one of these would be one of the best gift for runner buddy, Christopher McDougall’s Born to Run, Eat and Run by Scott Jurek, Dare To Run by Amit, Finding Ultra by Rich Roll
I gifted my boyfriend a picture of both of us running together (thanks to veloscope!). Back then we weren’t dating, but few weeks later we got together. I think the gift played a role. 😉
The best you can give to a runner is your time. Runners usually go alone, carpool, make good friends amongst themselves. Other finding it weird. Have seen only few family members coming along at wee hours and cheering them enroute. So best gift from non running friend to a runner would be to surprise him enroute twice or thrice, cheer him/her up. I can just imagine his PB on that day. Rest everything is materialistic.
If its your boy/girl friend, he/she is yours for lifetime… For sure
Well my birthday gift for a Close runner buddy is pending and when I was contemplating what to give her these items came to my mind
Cool reflective sunglasses
Headlamp coz she is a night runner
Headband sweatband And cap
Handheld sipper and foam roller
Bluetooth headphones
Set of running books
DEOS for my sweaty guy friend :p
AS FAR AS I KNOW, MOST OF MY FRIENDS AVOID RUNNING AS IT CUTS YOU FROM THE WORLD. THEY PREFER GYMS OVER RUNNING COZ YOU CAN EASILY STAY CONNECTED WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD VIA PHONES, IPADS,ETC. SO I WOULD GIVE THIS FOLLOWING GIFTS TO MY RUNNER FRIEND SO THAT HER JOURNEY IS MORE PLEASURABLE – 1) FRAP BELT- TO CARRY PHONE, CASH, CAR KEYS TO BE WELL CONNECTED TO THE WORLD. WITH ALARMING INCREASE IN CRIMES, BEING IN TOUCH IS EXTREMELY NECESSARY. BLUETOOTH WIRELESS HEADSET SO THAT YOU COULD LISTEN TO MUSIC AS WELL AS RECEIVE/MAKE CALLS WITHOUT REACHING FOR YOUR MOBILE. PROTEIN SHAKES/ENERGY DRINK SO THAT YOU DON’T END UP LOSING MUSCLES OR ENERGY. GOOD PAIR OF SHOES. FLUORESCENT JACKET SO THAT IF YOU PLAN TO RUN ALONG THE ROADS, PEOPLE COULD SEE YOU FROM A DISTANCE.
Frap Belt is awesome fun gift full of utility too….
Running shoes will do for me as nothing is more important than shoes while running. Or a T shirt with some motivational quote to will be good as well
A Good Pair of Headphone 😉 (Y) with a good motivational tunes will keep you going an extra mile. 🙂
Pack of vaseline☺
Perfect gift for a runner would be a good quality leg massager to relax the feet and recover fast, ready to hit the road again! A good run is super for the mind and soul, massager would take care of the body 🙂
Three gifts I can think for male runners are as follows Ryders Eyewear, Full
frames provide protection from mud and full protection against 100% of UVA, UVB, and UVC rays, and high energy light, while lenses adjust to variable light conditions
Ultimate Direction AK Race Vest 2.0, Modeled after the minimalist pack worn by Anton Krupicka, this carries fuel and other essentials without weighing you down
Race-Pak Nutrition,race-pak.com A one-stop grab for all
of your post-race recovery needs, this box is fully stocked with runners’ favorite bars, gels and everything in between.