Running coaching app Runna (which is part of Strava) has announced a partnership with Loughborough University in the UK to embed sports science insights into its platform.
The collaboration will see academic research from Loughborough University integrated directly into Runna’s training logic. The initiative aims to review how the app’s training plans structure pace, distance progression, intensity distribution, and recovery protocols against current scientific literature on training load.
Runna notes that its training plans are created by qualified coaches using established training principles, tailored to an individual runner’s history with progressive loading and recovery built in. Given the high incidence of injuries within running, the partnership is designed to apply academic rigour to these coach-led plans, supporting a global user base ranging from 5km beginners to ultramarathon runners.
The academic review will be led by Dr Richard Blagrove, Reader in Applied Exercise Physiology and Athlete Performance at Loughborough University’s School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences.
Dr Blagrove specialises in endurance running physiology and the application of strength and conditioning for distance runners. His research focuses on practical methods to improve running performance and reduce injury risk. He is also the author of ‘Strength and Conditioning for Endurance Running’ and has consulted for various national sporting bodies.
Dr Richard Blagrove, Reader in Applied Exercise Physiology and Athlete Performance at Loughborough University, said “Running can be a demanding activity with a high risk of overuse injury.
“Several factors, including training load, training progression and recovery, play an important role in helping runners achieve their goals while managing their risk of injury. Our work with Runna will build the latest sports science on those specific areas into their expert training logic that has been developed by their qualified coaches. By combining sports science alongside Runna’s coach expertise, it will offer a unique, best-in-class training experience for runners around the world that cannot be replicated by generic AI training plans.”
Steph Kessell, Head Coach at Runna, added “Our ambition is to help make running training more effective, enjoyable and easy for everyone, and we love that more people are taking up running than ever before.
“We’re proud to make expert coaching accessible and affordable for everyone. Runna estimates a 43% lower self-reported rate of injury per 1000 hours of training when compared to a 2015 Sports Medicine benchmark. Through this partnership, we are ensuring our training plans incorporate the ever-evolving and latest sport science research, which will go one step further to best support runners at all levels to train sustainably.”
The project forms part of a wider collaboration alongside parent company Strava, mirroring similar sports science partnerships such as Strava’s work with Stanford University.
Founded in 2021 and officially launched in March 2022, London-based Runna is a subscription-based coaching app available on iOS and Android across more than 180 countries. The company was named a finalist for Apple’s App of the Year in 2024 before being acquired by Strava in 2025.
Loughborough University, located in Leicestershire, UK, has been ranked first in the world for sports-related subjects in the QS World University Rankings for 10 consecutive years through 2026. The institution’s School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences conducts internationally recognised research into human movement, athletic performance, and sports medicine.
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