Gifts for runners: 12 ideas from small things to a marathon keepsake
· 4 min read
Runners are picky about their gear. They choose shoes by their feet and watches by how they train, so those are best left to them. That still leaves plenty of things anyone who runs regularly will appreciate, whether they just finished their first 5 km race or their tenth marathon.
We have grouped the ideas by what they are for. Prices are a rough guide.
For training
1. Running socks
Thin, seamless technical socks get worn out. A runner never has enough, and everyone knows the blisters cotton socks give you.
2. A head torch and reflective gear
From October to March most people run in the dark. A light running head torch that doesn't bounce, plus a reflective band or vest, is a gift that makes them safer. Look for a head torch under 100 grams.
3. A running belt or vest
For a phone, keys and a gel. A waist belt is enough for everyday runs, a vest with bottles is better for long runs and trail races.
4. A race entry
A gift that keeps them training. Find out which race they have their eye on and pay the entry fee. Watch the dates: popular races sell out months ahead.
For recovery
5. A foam roller
A roller for loosening calves and thighs is cheap and gets used all the time. Firm ones with ridges are for experienced runners, a smooth one is fine for beginners.
6. A sports massage
A voucher for a sports massage after a race, or in the hardest weeks of training, is welcome even for people who would never book one themselves.
7. A running gait analysis
Some running shops and physiotherapists film and analyse how you run. It helps with choosing shoes and spots habits that lead to injuries.
As a keepsake
8. A relief of a race or a favourite loop
Medals end up in a drawer. A relief of the race route stands on the desk and brings back that day every time they look at it. It is a 3D model of the terrain with the route raised in a bright colour, on a wooden base with your own engraving. We make it, so we are biased, but for a runner it is exactly the kind of gift they won't buy for themselves.
The 10 cm size costs 1 499 Kč, 15 cm is 1 749 Kč and 20 cm is 1 999 Kč. It stands out most for mountain and trail races, where the route climbs and drops. A flat city marathon gives a gentler relief, but you can raise the height exaggeration in the configurator so even small hills and the river valley show clearly.
The engraving fits three lines of 40 characters. For a runner, the race name, the date and the finish time work well, for example:
- Mountain half marathon
- 14 September 2025
- 1:58:42 and a big smile
9. A frame for the medal and race bib
If they collect medals, a frame for the medal and bib from one race turns a piece of metal on a hook into a memory on the wall.
Bigger gifts and experiences
10. A running watch
Only if you know exactly what they want. Otherwise they may get a model that doesn't suit how they train. It is safer to chip in for a specific model they picked.
11. A training plan or a coach
A few months with a coach, or a tailored plan before a marathon, will help a runner more than any gear.
12. A running weekend
A race abroad, or a weekend in the mountains with some trail running. Combine the entry fee, a place to stay and the trip together, and you have something to look forward to all year.
How to get the race route
For a relief you need the route as a GPX. There are several ways to get it:
- From their Strava. A link to the activity is enough, paste it on the create page. See How to export a GPX from Strava.
- From a Garmin watch. We explain the steps in How to export a GPX from Garmin Connect.
- From the organiser. Most races publish the course as a GPX on their website. It is the same for everyone, so you can use it without the runner's own recording.
When to order
We make every relief after you order. It takes a few days, then we hand it to Packeta or a courier. For Christmas, order with time to spare, ideally at the start of December.
