What to get a runner for Christmas: a guide to gifts that might be appreciated

Buying Christmas gifts for runners is difficult because they are insufferably picky. They know exactly which shoes they want, which shorts do not cause thigh chafing and which colour of technical t-shirt will not turn dark when they sweat. They will happily spend three hours researching the ideal running belt, then buy the same one they already own because the new one had a bad review from Steve on trustpilot.com. 

7) A medal holder

 If they are a beginner they will be desperate to fill it up before next Christmas, and if they are an avid runner they can finally empty that drawer of medals and put them on display as they should have done from the very beginning. This is the grown-up equivalent of fridge art. It is sentimental, personal and surprisingly motivating.

6) A foam roller

 When I was first introduced to a foam roller I assumed my PT hated me and wanted to see me in pain. While that may or may not be true, it is one of the greatest christmas gifts that will keep on giving. Foam rolling improves blood flow, reduces next day stiffness and helps break up the sticky fascia in the legs. And every time they lie down on that torturous device they will think of you. What a gift.

5) Bath salts

This one might sound generic, but find one with magnesium, which helps regulate muscle contraction and supports recovery when levels are low. Add in the placebo effect and runners will swear by it. A hot bath also helps recovery because the heat increases circulation to tired muscles. It also feels nicer than an ice bath, especially in December.

4) Voucher for sportsshoes.com 

No one likes to receive running kit that someone else has chosen for them. Every item requires extensive research: are there enough pockets, will the fabric upset me, will the sweat make it look like I peed myself in this colour? Speaking from experience, please do not take the joy of research away from me. On top of that, running gear can be expensive, and a voucher for sportsshoes.com could be the difference between me buying a cheap pair of runners and buying the latest Nike Alphafly in the January sale.

3) A sports massage

Those legs get stiffer than an inflatable snowman left outside overnight. A massage forces them to deal with the aches they have been ignoring all year and costs just enough that they would never book it for themselves.

2) A trial of a different sporting activity

So you know about one of their hobbies, well done. It probably means they will enjoy doing something else too, and cross-training is famously great for you. For something gentle, sign them up for a yoga class or reformer pilates. For something fun, go for an experience like velodrome cycling, a surf lesson or maybe even pole vaulting.

1) A race entry

Races have become so popular it has become almost impossible to get a place in one. Ballots happen a year in advance, sometimes more, and the odds are not in your favour unless you’re Liza Minelli. Charity entries are a solid option, but raising money while also training can be a pain. The greatest Christmas gift you can give a runner is a charity place where you raise (or pay) the fundraising on their behalf.

Runners, like most people, are ungrateful bastards. They will complain about any Christmas gift that is not exactly what they wanted, researched or pre-approved by a committee of other runners. But choose one of these gifts this Christmas and, with a bit of luck, they might tolerate it long enough to stop moaning and get back to training.

No, I am not getting paid for these links. I simply love sportsshoes.com so much that I will recommend them for free.