Gift them a heart to run on their birthday.

The birthday gift for a runner they can't buy themselves: a heart-shaped route that starts at their front door, with their name on it. On their birthday they follow it on their watch, and the heart appears on their Strava. Preview it free; if you like the shape, €14 once gets you the GPX file and a poster of their heart to print.

Preview their heart, free

More: 25 birthday run ideas

Why it works as a birthday gift for a runner

It is not more gear

Runners choose their own shoes and watches, and they are particular about both. A heart drawn for them is the one thing they cannot buy for themselves.

It starts at their door

The route begins at the address you choose, their home or their favourite park, and carries their name. Nobody else runs that heart.

It arrives in time

Most hearts are emailed right after payment. A heart that needs a check by hand arrives within 24 hours, so order two days ahead.

How to give it

  1. A few days before: Preview their heart for free: type the address it starts from, pick 3, 5, 7 or 10 km and add their first name.
  2. Two days before: Pay €14 once. The GPX file and a poster of their heart arrive in your inbox.
  3. On the day: Give them the poster, printed for a card or a frame, and send them the GPX to load on their watch or phone.
  4. Their birthday run: They follow the heart from their door. Once they upload the run, the heart is on their Strava, under the title they choose.

A good gift if

  • they run or walk with a GPS watch or a phone;
  • they post their runs on Strava or another app;
  • you want a present about them, not about kit.

Not the right gift if

  • you need a physical present delivered: it is a file and a poster to print;
  • they never take a watch or a phone when they run;
  • the birthday is tomorrow and the heart needs a check by hand.

Birthday run ideas

Planning the run itself? Running their age, a parkrun with friends, a run to the birthday breakfast: our list covers 25 ways to celebrate with a run. 25 birthday run ideas

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I get for €14?
The GPX file of the heart you previewed, starting from the address you chose and dedicated to the person you named, a poster of that heart to print, and guides to load the route on a watch or phone. It is a route to run, not a finished Strava activity: the heart appears on Strava once they record the run.
How do I give it to them?
The GPX and the poster arrive in your inbox. Print the poster for the card or a frame, then forward the GPX to them, or load it onto their watch together on the day.
Do they need a Garmin?
No. Any watch or phone app that can follow a GPX route works. On Garmin, import the GPX into Garmin Connect. Apple Watch needs a GPX navigation app such as WorkOutDoors; third-party app charges are separate.
Can the heart start where they live?
Yes, that is the point: you type the starting address, their home, their street, their favourite park, and the heart is drawn through the streets around it. You see the shape before paying.
What if they walk rather than run?
Choose 3 km for a walk. The heart is the same on the map whether it is run or walked.
How long does it take?
The preview takes about 30 seconds. Hearts that pass the shape check are delivered right after payment. Routes needing a manual check are delivered within 24 hours, so order at least two days before the birthday.
What is the difference between the €14 and €7.99 hearts?
The €14 heart is drawn from the address you choose and carries their name. The €7.99 hearts are ready-made routes from the gallery, in fixed places. Both are one-time payments with no subscription.
What if the streets around the address do not make a good heart?
You see the shape before paying, so you only buy a heart you like. Try a nearby starting point or another distance. If you have paid but not yet downloaded the GPX, you can ask for a full refund within 14 days.