Running saw a surge in popularity in 2020. Quarantine and social distancing, working from home, and the closure of gyms all drove people to look for different ways to stay in shape by keeping close to home and safely away from large gatherings or indoor spaces.
I've compiled this gift list with our unique circumstances of a global pandemic in mind. Customized gifts are great for both new runners and experienced marathoners. The accessories, home decor pieces, and other gift ideas on this list are all available from small business owners via Etsy.
Tip: If you're shopping Etsy for the holidays, be sure to place your order in a timely manner. Many sellers on Etsy are small artisan home-based businesses that don't really ramp up production with extra employees during the holiday rush.
This is super cute for runners of all levels. Get a caricature of your runner in action. Work with the artist to get the background, clothing, accessories, and other details included in your drawing. You'll get a digital image that you're free to print. This artist also offers runner caricatures in the style of the Simpsons and you can pick other hobbies or professions if you need gift ideas for others on your list.
This is a cute gift idea for runners that can be used in the home or after a run. Pick your own personalized name to feature underneath an embroidered running shoeprint. The lightweight towel measures 16" by 26" which is a good size for mopping off sweat after a run or workout or to use as a hand towel in a powder room.
Add your runner's name to this cute tank top wearing runner ornament figure. This is a quality polyresin ornament ready to be hand personalized with your specified name. This seller offers many other customizable ornaments, including a matching female runner figure. You can also find ornaments with runners in track suits.
Get the runner on your list a face mask (so 2020) featuring a race distance (half or full marathon) or a running shoe. For the design print you can choose from gold, silver, or white.
Anyone who was scheduled to run a marathon in 2020 was probably crushed when the news broke that it was being cancelled. Seller CharmedRunning offers printed Tyvek race bibs for big races like Chicago, New York, and MCM. You can also send in a PDF of your own bib, from a virtual race or of your own creation, to be printed on Tyvek. This is a fun way to make your virtual race experience more real as most races offer digital bibs rather than physical, Tyvek-printed bibs.
In 2020 we learned about essential workers, essential travel, and essential activities. Runners would definitely consider running to be essential. Get this cotton racerback tank top in your choice of 5 colors and 4 sizes for women.
Running sleeves are nice to have as an extra easy to remove layer during colder runs. Custom sleeves like these can be used to share a message as well. Add your runner's name for him or her to wear during an upcoming major race, or words of motivation to help get through a tough run. Pick from 7 different colors and 7 different fonts.
Looking to get crafty yourself? Purchase this PDF download cross-stitch pattern to make frameable art, a pillow, linen, or other fabric into a gift for your runner. This purchase is for the pattern only; you'll have to provide the thread and other necessary materials.
These retro style terry sweatbands are available in 12 different bold colors. You can customize headbands or wristbands in various different set configurations. Pick your thread color(s) and desired fonts for your text. There are options to add icons or images to your custom text as well.
Have a totally custom medal holder made for your runner. Maybe a new runner needs a medal rack for their new collection of virtual race medals, or a seasoned runner needs more storage capacity for all of their medals. Customize text for virtual race medals, races cancelled by COVID-19, those rare in-person races that happened in 2020, or medals commemorating small group runs in this unusual year. Other ideas for personalization: your runner's name or nickname, motivational sayings, or favorite quotes from movies.
Due to pandemic-related race cancellations and postponements, 2020 has seen a rise in popularity of virtual races. Are you looking for your next virtual race?I found the following virtual races with both t-shirts and medals as swag. Several of these runs have budget-friendly...
The Best Damn Race in New Orleans, originally scheduled for March 22, 2020, was one of many events that had to be cancelled due to Covid-19. Those who had registered for the physical event had the choice to defer or transfer to a future event, or run...
Arthur and I headed out on a long road trip this summer, starting from our home in Florida and driving across the country to visit a bunch of National Parks and other destinations. The trip was planned around two major events that helped dictate the rest of the...
I had signed up for this race back in December 2019. This was my first race that converted all participants to virtual runners due to the pandemic. The Riverside Dash is a popular local race. The main event is the 15K that runs along the...
