15 Thoughtful Gifts for Runners Who Have Everything

Have you ever wondered what could be great gifts for runners who have everything? You are not alone! I was once in your shoes before I was given this list of thoughtful gifts for someone who likes to run.

Let me first share with you how I landed on this list of thoughtful gifts for runners.

A few years ago, when I got into running, I made new friends who were and still are serious runners. I was welcomed into their circle even though I was a super slow runner and walked most of the time during our runs (runners are really nice people).

Several months later, with the Holidays looming, I asked if this group of running buddies exchanged running-related birthday or Christmas gifts. The answer was yes, but only because they understood each other!

I was excited to exchange gifts with cool people that I truly admired (even though they had no expectations of a gift from me), but was also nervous about what to get them.

Yes, you guessed it! I did not want to be that person that got to receive the best gifts but gave lousy ones in return. So, I asked for a list of what they considered the ideal gifts for runners who seemingly have everything.

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Best Gifts for Runners Who Have Everything?

You probably will be just as surprised at the time, at how simple most of the gift ideas were. After a year of running, I finally understood why runners love these gifts. The best gifts for runners who have everything include a runner’s gift box, shoe gaiters, a running belt, comfy running socks, or a customized wooden medal holder.

Let’s go through the list and find you the perfect gift!

1. Runners gift box

While runners still want to be gifted some of the best running shoes on the market, cool running tights, socks, and running jackets, at the end of the day, it’s the little things that really matter to some runners.

Over the years, I have learned that one of the best gifts for runners is a runner’s gift box, full of all the small, simple things that help them fuel their passion for running.

A perfect runner’s gift box should consist of the precious items that runners enjoy. You can include priceless items such as framed race photos, or photos taken secretly while they were training.

*This post may include affiliate links. You can read my full disclosure here

Other items that you can include in a gift box for someone who loves running are:

• Energizing jelly beans
• Energy gels
• Post-run snacks such as salted nuts
• Recovery bars 
• Recovery drinks
• Nut butter 
• A ticket to an exciting running event
• A gift card

2. Funny gifts for runners

To get that runner in your life laughing, get them one of these funny gifts for runners that won’t break the bank:

• A stemless wine glass for runners with 5K, 10K, 13.1, and 26.2 measurements 
• A ‘Shut up I’m not almost there’ running t-shirt 
• A book about running that they can read on the toilet (it has really handy running tips for avid runners) 
• An adult coloring book

Thoughtful gifts for runners who have everything

As we walk through gift ideas for runners who have everything, you also have to remember that sometimes the gifts do not have to have everything to do with running.

3. A medal hanger 

Once a runner enters the prestige class of serious runners, they can’t help but enter lots of running races. Running becomes an addiction. It starts with that first 5k, then on to 10k, 21k, 42k, and everything else there possibly is.

Entering races also means that medals will be collected in the process, no matter how slow or fast one runs.

 I had no idea how many medals I would end up accumulating within a year when I started running in 2014. (I won nothing but got tons of participation medals).

I was ecstatic when those medals started rolling in, quickly struggled with finding a well-deserving hanger for my souvenirs.

This is where a medal hanger for runners comes in.

A medal display hanger might seem like a small gift, but in the world of running, it is really a thoughtful gift for runners who have everything. 

I am yet to meet a runner who does not need another display rack for their medals (the hangers fill up pretty fast, and the more medals one has, the more they still want to collect).

Every runner needs a special place to remind them of their mental strength, hard work, and perseverance, and a medal display hanger provides just that.

This marathon medal display is amazing because, not only is it easy to install, but has a place for up to 200 race bibs, and over 100 medals. 

Thermal running tights

Runners wear 2-3 of layers of clothing during winter months to keep themselves from freezing their bottom off. The downside to wearing layers while running is that sometimes too many layers get too hot.
The perfect solution is finding one pair of thermal running tights that are comfortable and warm, breathable, and wicks away moisture to prevent runners from getting cold when they sweat.

4. Best winter running tights for men

The price tag aside, Under Armour ColdGear leggings, are the best brand on the market when it comes to winter running tights. 

The men’s ColdGear leggings are well-suited for running, cycling, skiing, and any other winter exercise. The sweetest part is that they can also double up as long as johns.

5. Winter running tights Women’s

As mentioned above, Under Armour has the best thermal workout gear, so it is no surprise that there is a similar version of ColdGear running leggings for women.

The best part about these Under Armour women’s ColdGear compression leggings is that they are non-see-through, and do not slide down when running.

 Running tights that stay up while running is a runner’s best thing since sliced bread. These Under Armour women’s ColdGear compression leggings are really one of those stunning and thoughtful gifts for runners who have everything! 

6. Running shoes – the best running gift for runners who have everything

Running shoes are a great gift for runners who have everything and run frequently. Running is an expensive hobby because runners have to buy a new pair of running shoes at least once every six months.

Running shoes get worn out when one hits about 450 to 550 miles in them. Usually, at this point, that serious runner in your life will be shopping for new shoes.

This is where you enter the scene with your thoughtful gift and buy them their next great pair of running shoes.

But, the thing is, you can’t buy running shoes for them unless you know their shoe size. Then, you must also about pronation and whether they enjoy long or short-distance runs. Added to that should be whether you know the type of feet they have-high arch or flat feet (yep, running is a complicated business).

However, as long as you know their shoe size, you can skip all that process and buy them a neutral shoe with excellent cushioning. A great neutral shoe that runners continue to rave about is the Brooks Ghost.

For women –Brooks Ghost 14 Women’s Neutral Running Shoe 

And for men – Brooks Men’s Ghost 14 Neutral Running Shoe 

Related post: Best running shoes for beginners

Small Gifts for Runners

7. Earbuds for running 

Every runner’s pet peeve is having items become loose while running. Small things like hair in the face, shoelaces becoming loose and of course, headphone wires getting tangled or in the way, instantly drive runners crazy.

Some runners prefer total silence when running, as that allows them to focus and think clearly, while others are motivated to run even faster and further, by the sound of music.
I’m one of those people who can’t run without music- I hate hearing myself breathe, and every sound around me is a distraction.

For runners like me who love running with music, we want our happy place to be disturbance-free, therefore, wireless headphones are an absolute must.
There are plenty of earbuds and wireless headphones for running on the market, but the Beats Fit Pro are the most advanced and best wireless earbuds for runners.
The Beats Fit Pro earbuds are water and sweat-resistant, easily pair with other devices, and the sound quality is absolutely top-notch!
Beats Fit Pro is one of the great gifts for runners who love listening to music or podcasts while running.

8. A running watch

While a running watch is not cheap, it is one of the small gifts for runners that make a big difference.

There are a lot of fitness watches and trackers on the market, but not all are specifically built for running.

A running watch is supposed to help a runner understand their running pace better, but most watches are not equipped to accurately monitor and adjust a runner’s pace.

Two things are important to a runner when it comes to deciding on a running watch. Firstly, runners want a fitness watch that has a reliable built-in GPS as this accurately tracks pace and distance. Secondly, runners prefer a watch that can measure the heart rate correctly.

These two factors usually determine the price tag for running watches. A lot of runners lean towards Garmin watches as they are both reliable and durable. If you want to gift the runner in your life a running watch, consider the Garmin Forerunner 55.  

However, if you can afford it, the Garmin Forerunner® 955 is the best on the shelf and comes with all the advanced features a runner can only dream of in a fitness watch.

This watch is equipped to assess a runner’s training status to show if they’re undertraining or overdoing it. The bells and whistles that the Garmin Forerunner® 955 comes with are one of the reasons this running watch is on most runners’ wish lists! 

9. Headlamp for night running

There are so many reasons why some runners prefer to run at night. A bright headlamp and reflective gears increase their visibility. The best running headlamp should be comfortable around the head and hold up to the up-and-down bouncing that comes with each stride.

A great headlamp for night running should also be bright enough for other road users to spot the runner, and for the runner to see around them, without blinding motorists and cyclists.

One of the cheap gifts for runners is this Petzl headlamp. The Petzl headlamp has three brightness levels and an adjustable strap that allows the runner to adjust the direction of the light.

10. Running socks 

For runners, good running socks are just as important as good running shoes because the wrong type of shoes or socks could cause blisters or discomfort while running.

If you want to gift a runner the best running socks they can ever own, give them one or all of these three- Balega Silver Compression running socks,

Feetures Elite Max cushion running socks or the Injinji Run Lightweight no-show toe socks. These socks come highly recommended by elite runners because they provide extra padding and help reduce sock and foot pain during running.

11. Gift for a female runner – Sports bra

What can be more thoughtful as a gift for a female runner than a sports bra specifically designed for running? Female runners usually do not wear regular sports bras.

They require high-impact and comfortable sports bras that can hold the girls in place without suffocating them. Some of the best sports bras for running that you can gift a female runner in your life include the

Under Armour high-impact cross-back bras

Panache underwired sports bra, and the

SHEFIT high-impact sports bra.

Also read: affordable workout clothes – capri pants and bras

Unique gifts for runners who have everything

12. Foam roller

Runners have a love/hate relationship with foam rolling. Most of the time the relationship is that of love because foam rollers work like magic to relieve muscle soreness, and speed up the recovery process, especially after those very long runs.

Instead of getting an expensive massage after each race, you could help a runner prevent running injuries and recover faster by getting them a foam roller. 

If you are looking for gifts for marathon runners after the race, I highly recommend getting them a foam roller if they don’t already have one. The TriggerPoint Grid foam roller is one of the best foam rollers for runners.

Must read:

Easy Running Tips for Beginners (How to start running and not hate it)

13. Running belt 

There are small essential items that runners sometimes need to bring along with them on a run. Car keys, bank cards, inhalers, cash, a phone, or a driver’s license, are some of the things that runners like to bring along, but without the inconvenience of carrying a backpack or holding the items in their hands.

A running belt is an ideal answer to such inconveniences. It goes around the waist and can securely hold small items.

Unlike fanny packs, running belts are designed to handle high-impact activities and stay in place when running.

Runners who own the FlipBelt running belt have echoed each other on how this belt never bounces around during running. It fits snuggly, is made from high-quality material, and is very comfortable to the point where the wearer barely notices or feels it.

This is a perfect gift for a runner who wants to be hands-free when running. This is a perfect gift for a runner who wants to be hands-free when running. 

14. Running sunglasses 

As a runner, one of my biggest irritations is having an insect enter one of my eyes when running outdoors.

This is always an awful experience. One of my runner friends once gifted me running sunglasses. I can tell you, it changed how I look at those pesky little insects and other unidentified flying objects (lol).                     

Seriously though, every runner wants to protect their eyes but sometimes outdoor sunglasses disappoint us. Some sunglasses tend to be heavy on the face, do not fit snuggly, or the optics just aren’t that great.

Goodr OG sunglasses are the best for keeping the wind, rain, sun, and insects out of the face. They are incredibly lightweight, have clear, polarized lenses, and don’t bounce while running. 

15. Treadmill for Runners

Runners, and just about everyone else who has ever stepped on it, usually dread the treadmill, hence the term ‘dreadmill’.

But, a treadmill has moments when it is useful, even for elite runners.

I will tell you why most runners either have a gym membership or a treadmill at home and if they don’t, most wish they had a treadmill sometimes.

The weather can be very harsh in winter. Think ice-cold, and all that gloom that comes with it. Getting out of the front door is hard when there are record-breaking temperatures.

And even when someone manages to get out and run, there’s no guarantee that they won’t suffer injuries while running in extreme weather. Bear in mind that injury is one thing a runner never wants to happen to them.

Trust me, a treadmill is a must for runners, especially when it’s extremely hot or cold outside and don’t have access to a gym.

If you want to gift a runner a treadmill for those days in winter when it is impossible to run outside, the NordicTrack T Series Treadmills is one of the good choices. You can also check out the peloton treadmill if you can afford it as a gift for a runner who has everything.

 Final thoughts

Exchanging gifts is a beautiful thing, but you should never be pressured into spending more than you can afford to impress friends or loved ones. Sometimes, the best gifts for runners who have everything are those priceless moments you share with them. If buying a gift is out of your budget, simply offer them support on race day or tough training days, or spend precious time with them away from everything to do with running.