What Makes a Good Gift for a Runner?

Posted by Rick Cleary

Every year as the holidays approach, friends or colleges say, “You’re a runner; I’m buying a gift for a friend who’s a runner, What would be a good gift for a runner?” Trying to figure out the best gift for a runner is not as easy as it would seem. Runners are like everyday people, there isn’t going to be one gift that will work for every runner. I mean really, what do us runners need, a pair of shoes, shorts, socks, maybe some winter hats and gloves? Not very exciting, everything I just mentioned requires knowing the runner’s sizes. You can take the chance that you know the runners size, but be careful you don’t want your gift to go unused if it doesn’t fit. I have received some nice running cloths as gifts over the years, but usually they were from my wife, who knows my sizes.

I’ve always enjoyed running books or DVDs as gifts. It’s nice to be inspired by what others have accomplished or just to learn something new about the sport. What’s nice about books and DVDs as gifts is you don’t have to know sizes and they are usually priced in the reasonable dollar range. If your running friend doesn’t have the Daniels’ Running Formula, I’d highly recommend it. This book is the gold standard of training books. Jack Daniels the author does an exceptional job of putting the technical jargon in to everyday terms. There’s plenty in the book for every runner.

Electronics that are used by runners can be an appropriate gift. One big advantage is that one size fits all. Electronic gadgets run from GPS devices that do a solid job of measuring distance and pace, running watches, and mp3 type music players. These can be exciting gifts to receive. The big draw back is price. Unless it’s a close relative or you have a lot of cash, electronics can be really expensive. Their price ranges from $70 for a running watch to $400 dollars for the GPS devices.

Of course since you are on the Shoe Odometer website I would be remised not to mention that the Shoe Odometer at $40 does make a darn good running gift. It doesn’t require that you know your running friend’s sizes and it doesn’t break the bank. We’ve received significant positive feedback from customers that purchased Shoe Odometers as gifts. You’ll stand out in your gift giving to your running friend, because the Shoe Odometer is unique and new to many runners. They’ll be one of the first to have one and will be the talk of their running group.

The bottom line is that buying a gift for a runner really isn’t as complicated as it seems. We are like anyone and love the fact that you cared enough to know we are runners and we appreciate any running gift that you took the time to find.

Links

http://www.gifts-for-runners.com/ruac.html

Daniels’ Running Formula - 2

11-30-09

Just a little update - I guess people really do like their Shoe Odometers.  Sales for Christmas Gifts have increased ten fold.  Things have been going so great that we are assembling a significant order just to keep up.  It appears people are buying the Shoe Odometer as a gift because it’s priced right for all walkers and runners and it’s just plain better than what’s traditionally out there.  Thank you!