runify 
Connecting runners with their running community, personalized to your schedule and training plan.
Duration: 10 weeks
My Role: UX/UI Designer and UX Researcher
Tools: Figma
Platform: Mobile iOS
Outcome
Runify simplifies the way runners find and engage with their running community. By addressing runners’ key challenges such as difficulty in finding running buddies, lack of schedule flexibility, and limited event awareness, Runify allows runners to seamlessly find local run clubs and events to run with based on their schedule, match with new running buddies to run with who have similar pace or training plan, and suggest run routes based on location and distance preference.
The Problem Space
Running is more popular than ever, with major races seeing record-breaking participation. Despite this growth, 83% of runners report struggling to stay motivated when running alone. While running with others boosts accountability, motivation, and a sense of belonging, many runners face challenges in finding running groups or buddies that match their pace, goals, or schedule.
153M Strava Users
in more than 190 countries use Strava, a fitness tracking app, and 25% of the users belong to a running club.
Secondary Research
621M Runners Worldwide
Running has seen significant growth in recent years for fitness, recreation, and competition.
User Research Methodology
We met with six participants who met the participant criteria and conducted one-on-one interviews to understand in depth what the participants’ experience was with Running Training & Community and the key pain points, motivations, and behaviors they faced.
Record Amount of Marathon Finishers
In 2024, major marathons experienced record-breaking participation including NYC (56k finishers) and Berlin Marathon (54k finishers), and expecting to be broken again this year.
Runners have trained or are currently training for a racing event (5K to Marathon distance).
User Participant Criteria
Runners are aged 25-35 to focus on the key growing running age group.
Runners vary in running background (from beginner, intermediate, to advanced).
Community and Accountability Drive Motivation
83% of runners found it difficult to stay motivated when running alone. Running with others provides accountability, encouragement, and a sense of belonging that keeps them engaged.
Key Insight Focus
Community and Accountability Drive Motivation
83% of runners found it difficult to stay motivated when running alone.
User Key Insights
Lack of Personalization in Training
100% of runners felt that generic training programs don’t adapt to their individual schedules, progress, or needs.
Technology Enhances Training but Lacks Personal Touch
83% of runners used apps like Strava, Garmin, and Runna to track progress, but some feel that digital coaching lacks real-time adaptation and feedback. Many still seek in-person coaching or community tips.
How might we make running more motivating and engaging for runners training for a race so that they can reach their running goals and full potential?
We developed our persona based on our key target audience, runners who are working professionals in their mid 20-30s training for a race, and is defined as a “social runner” who seeks community and running with others to stay motivated.
We developed key features our persona would expect and need to be able to connect with their running community and developed a primary task flow to guide how the user experience prior to building wireframes.
Low Fidelity Wireframes
User Testing
We conducted 2 rounds of usability tests with 10 unique users who were runners of all different levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced) to obtain real-time feedback that can be incorporated to validate whether the initial prototype works as intended and to improve the user flow experience.
Tasks and Scenarios Summary: We are testing whether the 10 users are able to complete the following tasks:
Goal: Join a running group event that is personalized to my training plan
Task 1 - Confirm today’s suggested run workout
Task 2 - Select “Join a Run Group”
Task 3 - Filter for a group run based on today’s workout
Task 4 - Select a run group event to join
Task 5 - RSVP “Attending” to run group event
Task 6 - Confirm run group event details
Exploratory Sketches
Branding
As we begin to develop a brand for our digital app, we start with imagining our brand story and and core value proposition.
Wordmark and Logo
Inspired by the energetic and warm hues of Olympic Track Blue and Sunset Orange, I wanted to evoke a sense of Sunny Energy, Inviting Playfulness, and Carefree Movement.
Appeals to our persona who is sporty, always up for adventure, and seeks social experiences.
The Primary, Secondary, and Neutral Colors for the app are: Blue, Orange, and Cream Beige.
Cool Track Blues – Balance the warmth, adding a sense of calm, trust, and athleticism.
Vibrant Orange & Warm Neutrals – These give off a summery, optimistic, and high-energy feel.
High-Fidelity Prototype
Marketing Website
I developed a marketing website for desktop and mobile web to promote Runify. The goal of the the website is to establish the brand’s point of view, product value proposition, and encourage users to download the app.
Key Learnings
Don’t give too many options to users in one screen, avoid cognitive overload
Giving flexibility in ranges of schedule, time, pace was important to users
The smallest changes in spacing and padding make the biggest difference
Next Steps
Conduct further user testing with runners to gain further insights
Iterate on high-fidelity prototype based on findings
Create more user flows such as creating a group, pairing with runners, and route recommendations