The Running Channel’s Christmas Gift List

Is there a special runner in your life that you’d like to treat this festive season? Or perhaps you’d just like to treat yourself (because yes, you do deserve it) with something nice? 

If so, we’ve compiled a handy gift list to help you choose the ideal running-related presents this Christmas. There’s something for every price point and type of runner, with some slightly more quirky gift ideas thrown in for good measure too…

Running Clothes

Under Armour baselayer

• Price: £49
• Available in a variety of colours, this ultra-warm baselayer keeps you warm without compromising movement, making it a fine addition to any runner’s winter wardrobe. Sarah has loved how much this item wicks away sweat whilst keeping you warm. She thinks it’s the perfect layer to wear for a race in winter when you’re grabbing a drink afterwards and don’t want to get cold!

Tracksmith sports bra with pocket

• Price: £72
• A sports bra with a pocket – surely a dream come true? This sophisticated piece from Tracksmith answers the call by offering medium-impact support AND an internal pocket for storage. 

Mizuno waterproof running jacket

• Price: £89.99
• Breathable, lightweight and comfortable, this is a great running jacket to keep runners feeling comfortable when out in less than savoury conditions. Many of The Running Channel team wore this jacket during the Running Home for Christmas challenge from London to the Wirral, and it kept them warm and dry in some unpleasant weather!

Lululemon gilet

• Price: £198
• Stylish and easy to wear over lots of layers, this warm cropped jacket from lululemon also features a removable hood and zipped pockets with a hidden phone sleeve. There are plenty of different colours to choose from as well. 

Running Tech

Bob and Brad massage gun

• Price: £199
• If there’s a special runner in your life who bemoans aches and pains, this massage gun will keep them happy and quiet. Portable and lightweight, it’s a game changer when it comes to faster muscle recovery and greater flexibility, offering targeted relief in the areas needing it the most. Some massage companies such as Therabody also offer recovery compression boots to help your legs feel tip-top after workouts. 

Suunto open ear headphones

• Price: £169
• Newly released from Suunto, these open ear headphones are at a slightly lower price point than others on the market right now, making them a great gift for runners who want to be entertained on the go while staying aware of their surroundings. 

Garmin Forerunner 965

• Price: £599.99
• Featuring a striking AMOLED touchscreen display, full-colour maps, in-built music, 31 hours of GPS battery life, all your personal performance and health stats and more, the Garmin Forerunner 965 is The Running Channel’s favourite GPS running watch.

Running Accessories

Decathlon merino wool trekking scarf

• Price: £12.99
• Not just a scarf, this versatile accessory can also be worn as a neck warmer, over the head to keep your ears warm or on the wrist, doubled up.

Proviz reflective running belt

• Price: £14.99
• In the winter months when daylight hours are short, most runners will be heading out in the dark before or after work. Help to keep them safe and visible with this reflective running belt, which gives them a place to keep their keys and phone.

Epsom bath salts

• Price: £16.99
• Bath salts are known for relaxing tense muscles, easing aches and pains and reducing inflammation, so you’ll certainly be in someone’s good books if you treat them to some of these. 

PUMA sliders

• Price: £24
• These sliders are the ultimate footwear for runners to slip into after a long run or race. And yes, you can wear them with socks, meaning you don’t even need to show your post-run toes to the world. 

Veloforte ultimate starter kit

• Price: £20.89
• This is the perfect bundle of tasty goodies for a loved one who is training for a race – it includes a good selection of natural energy bars, electrolyte mixes and energy gels. If you’re starting a training block, we’d recommend that you choose a brand of fuel that you like early on and stick with it. There are lots of types of fuel out there, so it’s important to pick one that sits well with you!

UYN toe socks

• Price: £29.90
• If a loved one is looking to step out in something a bit different, these toe socks would be a great stocking filler for them. Toe socks are known for preventing blisters, and Jess has really enjoyed using them while training for ultramarathons. If you’d prefer standard socks, though, UYN does offer plenty of those as well.

inov-8 gloves

• Price: £30
• Not sure whether to get them a pair of mittens or five finger gloves? Fear not. An ideal compromise giving you the best of both worlds, this inov-8 offering keeps your whole hands warm while giving you the freedom to still use your key fingers. James has found that they’ve kept his hands nice and toasty while still having the dexterity to use a camera while running.

Runna gift card

• Price: from £40.99
• Runna is your very own personalised coach which you can carry around with you in your pocket. This training app can help any runner – whether they’re training for their first 5k, wanting to get faster in a marathon or gunning for an ultramarathon – so you can’t go wrong with a Runna gift card this Christmas. Check out some of The Running Channel’s videos to see how Runna has helped people to achieve their running goals already.

Stanley water bottle

• Price: £42.99
• Ideal for commutes and workouts, this leak-proof tumbler keeps drinks cold for up to 12 hours and is even designed to fit in a treadmill holder, meaning you can keep hydrated while you’re building up a sweat in the gym. Tom is a huge fan, and thanks to the built-in flip straw is perhaps hydrating more now than ever before. 

Running Souvenirs 

Medal hanger

• Price: £15 
• This fun ornamental gift gives runners a space to show off their hard-earned medals with pride beneath The Running Channel’s motto: Run. Improve. Repeat.

Running map

• Price: from £24
• Personalised running maps are thoughtful gifts for runners who have recently completed races that mean something special. You can include the route, time, elevation and any other significant details that you see fit.

Long Run to Glory by Stephen Lane

• Price: £24.79
• This book is a must-read for any runner, and tells the story of the greatest marathon in Olympic history – the first-ever women’s event in Los Angeles in 1984 – and the women who made it happen. It’s something to squeeze into a stocking or add to a Kindle. 

New Balance flat tote backpack

• Price: £32
• The perfect size to hold all of your running kit and a bit more, this trendy but practical bag can then be packed away with ease when you’re done. The straps can be worn over one shoulder as a tote, or over both shoulders as a backpack, so you can tailor the style to suit you.