Gifts for Runners: 26 Ideas by Budget and Type

Half the length of a standard CoolNet piece, worn as a headband or around the neck, in 95% recycled materials. One size with a head-circumference range, so there is no clothing size to guess.

A small clip-on light with white and red LEDs, four modes and a body that detaches to be held in the hand. Handy for early or late loops around the neighbourhood.

An 18 oz flask shaped to be easy to hold and squeeze, with a no-grip hand strap so the fingers can relax. A straightforward drink-carrier for longer weekend runs.

A 20 oz soft flask with a bite valve and an adjustable hand strap made from moisture-wicking fabric. The flask is easy to fill thanks to a wide cap opening.

An ultra compact 35 g headlamp that the shop lists at 200 lumens, with reflective thread in the headband. Suited to dark mornings and evenings around town.

A narrative about a remote running tribe and a group of ultrarunners, told like an adventure story. It appeals to people who enjoy running and also like a good yarn.

The follow-up is a fully illustrated, practical guide to eating, training and racing, aimed at runners from beginners to seasoned racers. A natural second gift for a fan of the first book.

A short memoir by the novelist about running, writing and how the two feed each other, built around his preparation for a marathon. Good for a reflective, bookish runner.

A long-running training guide, now in a revised fifth edition, covering half and full marathons and adding a chapter on ultramarathons. Useful for someone who has just signed up for a first race.

A guide from a running coach who also appears in Born to Run, built around natural running and the joy of it. Suits a curious runner who likes to think about how they move.

A cookbook with more than a hundred recipes from a New York City Marathon champion and her chef co-author. A kitchen gift for a runner who likes to cook after a long weekend run.

The quicker sequel collects recipes for pre-run snacks, post-run breakfasts and dinners that come together in half an hour or less. It pairs well with the first book or stands alone.

A book about who the running world has been built for, with a call to rethink the sport, written by a runner and activist. A thoughtful pick for a reader who likes essays and ideas.

A training book from the author of Marathon, written for runners who want to work on race times at distances from 5Ks up to marathons. A useful follow-on for a regular racer.

A contoured handheld bottle in 16 and 20 oz sizes, with a cushioned adjustable strap and two outer slots for gels. A simple carry for runners who prefer a hard bottle to a soft flask.

A handheld bottle with a sleeve you chill in the freezer before the run, so the drink starts cold on warm days. A fun gift for anyone who trains through summer.

A petite, travel-sized roller that the shop suggests for desk workers, runners and travel. Small enough for a handbag or suitcase, so it can come along on race weekends.

A stopwatch-shaped birch board with hooks on the back for medals, a clip for race bibs and a dry-erase panel for noting personal-record times. The runner's first name can be added. Made to order, so check the ship date at checkout.

A slim pop-up card wallet with a magnetic money clip and a removable 26.2 icon. A subtle nod to a marathon finisher who would rather not wear the achievement on a T-shirt. It ships directly from the maker.

Garmin lists it as an entry-level GPS running smartwatch. It suits someone new to tracking runs who wants a simple, running-focused watch rather than a complicated multi-sport one.

A running watch with a bright touchscreen display, training metrics and adaptive training plans. Good for runners who like to look back over their runs and plan ahead.

A running smartwatch with GPS that Garmin positions for committed runners and triathletes, with maps on the watch. A larger gift for someone who takes their training seriously.

An ultralight GPS watch with a 1.2-inch AMOLED touchscreen, listed at 32 grams with the nylon band. A different brand to consider for runners who like a very light watch on the wrist.

Open-ear headphones that use bone conduction, so music, calls or podcasts play without anything sitting in the ear canal. Suited to runners who want to hear the road around them.

In-ear sport earbuds with rotating ear hooks, an IP68 rating and about 12 hours of listening listed per charge. A more conventional option for a runner who prefers sealed earbuds.

Earbuds that switch between an open-ear mode and noise cancelling, so the listener can choose awareness outdoors or focus indoors. A flexible pick for street and treadmill runners alike.