Unique Holiday Gift Ideas for Runners

Written by
Sabrina Grotewold
What to give the runner or runners you hold near and dear to your heart can be a challenge, particularly if they've participated in the sport for many years. Of course, runners can always use a new pair of shoes or the latest training gadget, but if you're looking for something a little more personal, these gift ideas might be what you're looking for. Bonus: You don't have to go to the mall to find them.
Engrave Your Runner's Finisher Medal
$20 for 1; $30 for 2
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Personalize your runner's race-day medal(s) so he or she can relive those awesome accomplishments. PR Medal Engravers set up on-site at many races across the country including the Rock 'n' Roll events. Mail your medals with engraving instructions to: PR Medal Engravers 7135 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL 60626
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Showcase That Runner Bling
$49.99
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Hang those hard-earned race medals on any wall with Gone For a Run's customizable medal display. Strong enough to hold more than 20 medals, add new memorabilia easily with the easy-open-and-shut side lever. Add your runner's name or a message to the wood insert.
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Build a Better Runner
Build a Better Runner video, $30
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If your runner gets injured frequently, or simply wants to improve, he or she should complete strength work. The Build a Better Runner video series by coach and Active contributor Jay Johnson includes hundreds of runner-specific exercises and routines. DVD is compatible with iPod, iPad, iPhone and Windows Media.
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Run-cation in the Blue Ridge Mountains
$525-$750
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Escape with your runner to Blowing Rock, North Carolina, for an adult week-long or three-day running camp at ZAP Fitness, a nonprofit training center. Open to runners of all abilities and goals, camp-goers run on tree-covered trails, attend clinics, enjoy hiking and other activities, interact with ZAP elite runners and coaches, and relax on the beautiful grounds.
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Wear Your Fortune
$30 plus shipping
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"We are not told our fortunes; instead, we have to write them down and work for them," says Caitlin Chock, creator of the Run Your Fortune T-shirt. Each technical shirt comes with a small slip of "fortune" paper where runners can write their ultimate goal, then iron the sentiment onto the shirt.
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The Training Journal of Champions
$24.99
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Give your runner the training secrets of Olympians. Designed by pro runners Lauren Fleshman and Ro McGettigan, the Believe I Am journal encourages runners to think holistically about their training. The inspiring visual cues, tips, goal-setting worksheets and "bigger picture" page make this a training log like no other.
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Create a Unique Energy Bar
$2.99 per bar for your recipe; $1.99 per bar for their recipe
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Design a whole-foods Element bar or box of bars to meet the taste preferences of your runner. Choose your flavor from a list of wholesome, tasty ingredients, name your bar, and receive a handmade baked treat in the mail. From Paleo-friendly to low-sugar, options abound for even the pickiest runner.
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Donate Running Shoes to Africa
cost of shoes and shipping
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Donate a pair of new or gently used running shoes on behalf of your loved one to benefit a runner in Africa. The nonprofit Shoe4Africa, which holds races in Africa and rewards participants with donated shoes, requests that shoes be shipped directly to Africa. Send shoes to: Shoe4Africa P.O. Box 6943 Eldoret, Kenya
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Volunteer With Your Runner
cost: your time and effort
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Spend time volunteering with your runner. Ideas: •Trail stewardship: Contact your local parks department to discover how you can help maintain trails •Help at a local race: Big or small, races don't organize themselves •Support the kids: Call your local high school's Athletics Dept. and ask if they have needs you can support
More Great Gifts for Runners
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Check out the new Active GearUp for deep discounts on high-performance gear from your favorite brands.
Shop for Gear
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