Running Out of Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas? Check Out These Sweet Gifts for Runners (2024)

Running with a phone, keys, and nutrition can get annoying if your runner has to carry it all. Luckily, this sleek sling gives just enough room to store your essentials without tethering a bulky, floppy weight to your waist. It’s also made of a comfy, water-resistant neoprene material that won’t feel rough against skin.

Runners love setting fitness goals for the new year, and yours will love a tidy place to spell them out. This journal from Gone for a Run is packed with dedicated sections for goal setting, workout logs, race times, and weekly and monthly activity summaries. Plus, this book is full of motivational quotes that can help keep them looking forward through hard weeks.

Whether you’re massaging yourself or your partner’s lending a hand, this muscle cream from Feelgood adds some extra relief as you’re rubbing out your most stubborn knots. A favorite among Runner’s World editors, The Feelgood Lab’s Natural Pain Cream combines plant-extracted ingredients that’ll soothe sore muscles with a cooling effect provided by menthol. Better yet, it doesn’t reek of the same noxious aroma that some other menthol creams have—test editor Amanda Furrer even keeps a bottle next to her bed without a problem.

Here’s another gift idea for when they’re done with a long run: Draw them a warm bath, light some candles, and toss in one of these brightly colored bath bombs. They’re infused with scented essential oils, including lavender, orange, and peppermint. And they contain Epsom salts, which some experts say can help with inflammation and achy muscles.

These may finally get your partner to stop stealing your sweatpants once and for all. They’re made of a stretchy, moisture-wicking, polyester-elastane fabric—good for working out. But they’re also super soft, with a relaxed fit ideal for cuddling up for movie night or covering up before leaving the gym.

Rubbing tired muscles with your hands feels good, but nothing works quite like a thumping percussion massager, such as this Theragun model. It comes with six interchangeable attachments to spread out or focus the pressure. And the machine’s different modes and intensities help tailor the massage.

For many runners, music makes long miles on the road or trail go by faster. But that requires a quality pair of earbuds that won’t fall out after a few minutes. These Skullcandy earbuds have a subtle ear hook that will keep them in place, and they’re slender enough that they don’t look garish in casual settings.

Unwinding with a beverage this Valentine’s Day? If fancy glassware isn’t their vibe, these Camelbak wine cups are made of insulated stainless steel that can take quite a bit more turbulence than a standard stemmed glass. This model has grippy silicone on the outside and a lid to prevent spills. The rounded vessel should also aerate the vino similarly to a typical glass made for reds.

Long winter runs in cold, dry air can do plenty of damage to lips, leaving them chapped and cracked. As such, a quality lip balm might just be what you need to save a tender moment on Valentine’s Day. This variety pack from Burt’s Bees has four flavors, and they all use cooling menthol to add extra freshness.