ASICS Runkeeper: 10 Years Later
ASICS bought Runkeeper in 2016. A decade on, what is different, what is the same, and whether the app is still worth putting on your phone.
Why ASICS Bought Runkeeper
In 2016, shoe companies were racing to own the digital side of running. Nike had Run Club. Adidas had Runtastic. Under Armour had MapMyRun and MyFitnessPal. ASICS responded by acquiring Runkeeper for $85 million, one of the biggest running-app deals of the decade.
The goal was not just a tracking app. ASICS wanted direct relationships with runners: shoe mileage data, running habits, goals, and future gear purchases, all tied to a single account. Runkeeper was the piece that made that possible.
Runkeeper + ASICS Timeline
What Changed, What Stayed
Changed
UI redesign aligned with ASICS brand colors and typography
ASICS shoe mileage tracking built in
Training plans expanded to include ASICS-branded 5K, 10K, half, full marathon
Deeper Apple Watch integration added in 2021
Gear recommendations and shoe reviews surfaced in-app
Stayed
Core GPS tracking experience unchanged
Your historical run data is preserved from pre-2016
Free tier still includes the basics at no cost
Audio cues, splits, and map views look familiar
Social friends, feed, and club features remain
Not every running app needs a shoe company behind it.
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