Running can be an amazing way to have decompress. It's a great way to get outside and appreciate the changing on the seasons. It’s a way to challenge yourself to new personal records. Often, it's simply a way to get some time to yourself. But some people might need a bit of extra something to make running enjoyable. There are tons of running apps available for Android and Apple phones, but we’ve gathered a few that help make running (more) fun.
Nike Run Club
One of the very first running apps, Nike Run Club is packed with features that give you more to do on your runs. NRC summaries are a cool way to see your run, showing a heatmap of where you ran hardest. Personal records are shown off in a sleek trophy case.
The killer feature are NRC’s “Guided Runs,” audio commentary from coaches and celebrities that guide and motivate you during a run. The Guided Run library is expansive, and features guides for different run lengths, intensities, and intentions.
Get Nike Run Club from the Apple App Store
Get Nike Run Club from the Google Play Store
Strava
Originally an app for cyclists, Strava has expanded to running and swimming.
Strava includes standard run logging, but it really shines for its social features. Strava allows runners to map their routes and upload them as “Segments." Runners can then race to beat their Segment records or virtually race on other runners’ Segments.
Strava also has a robust Clubs feature. Join a Club to share activity, compete, and rack up miles together.
Get Strava from the Apple App Store
Get Strava from the Google Play Store
Zombies, Run!
Zombies, Run! is not just a running app, it’s a running game about surviving during the zombie apocalypse.
Put on some headphones and the games audio will assign you the role of a town’s “Runner. As the Runner, you are tasked with running out for critical missions to help your town survive and rebuild. Throughout your runs, you’ll encounter hordes of zombies that you will need to outrun. The game is accessible to runners of all levels, and features fun voice acting and sound effects.
Zombies, Run! includes adventures with different themes, in case apocalyptic scenarios aren’t your thing right now.
Get Zombies, Run! on the Apple App Store
Get Zombies, Run! on the Google Play Store
Pantheon Integration
All of these fun running apps integrate with Apple Health and Google Fit, which means running with one of these apps will automatically create a Run in Pantheon. Try it out.