CheerMyRun

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The apps you need for your marathon

Short answer

For a marathon you need two kinds of app: one to train and one for race day. Train with Strava, Runna, Nike Run Club, Garmin Connect or adidas Running; most have a free tier, and Runna is built around personalized plans. On race day, add the race’s official app for chip times and CheerMyRun for the people following you: a live map and voice cheers in your headphones.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

By the CheerMyRun team

We make CheerMyRun; every other app is described from its own official page.

01

Training: the months before the race

Pick one app to log every run and, if you want structure, one that gives you a plan. Most runners use their watch’s app plus one of these.

  1. Strava

    Tracking and community

    GPS tracking for every run, with clubs, segments and friends’ activity. Free to use, with a paid subscription for extra features.

    strava.com ↗

  2. Runna

    Personalized training plans

    Builds a training plan around your race date, goal time and schedule, with guided workouts. Runs on a subscription.

    runna.com ↗

  3. Nike Run Club

    Free guided runs

    Free guided runs with audio coaching and free training plans, plus GPS tracking for your everyday runs.

    nike.com ↗

  4. Garmin Connect

    Garmin watch companion

    The free companion app for Garmin devices: syncs your runs, training load, sleep and heart rate, and can load structured workouts to your watch.

    connect.garmin.com ↗

  5. adidas Running

    Tracking with plans

    GPS run tracking, training plans and progress stats. Free to use, with a premium membership for more plans and features.

    adidas.com ↗

02

Race day: for you and the people following you

Official chip tracking only updates when you cross a timing mat, and mats can be several miles apart, so a live GPS app fills the gaps. Use both.

  1. The race’s official app

    Chip times and results

    Big marathons publish their own app with official splits and results. Install it, then compare it with other trackers in our live-tracking guide.

    cheermyrun.com ↗

  2. CheerMyRun

    Live map, voice cheers

    Supporters open a link in any browser, no app or account, follow your phone’s GPS live and send voice cheers that auto-play in your headphones.

  3. Strava Beacon or Garmin LiveTrack

    Location sharing

    If you already record on Strava or a Garmin, you can share a live location link with a few people from the app you use.

    support.strava.com ↗

03

Recovery: the weeks after the finish

After the race, the useful data is how your body is coming back and what you eat. Two apps cover it.

  1. Your watch’s app (Garmin Connect, Apple Health, COROS)

    Sleep and heart rate

    Your watch’s app already tracks sleep, resting heart rate and training load, so you can see when you’re ready to run again.

    connect.garmin.com ↗

  2. Cronometer

    Nutrition tracking

    Logs food and shows calories, macros and micronutrients, useful for refueling after the race and during your next training block.

    cronometer.com ↗

How it works

Three steps. Everyone’s there.

  1. Set up your run

    Set up your run

    Set up your run now or schedule it ahead of race day.

  2. Share your link

    Share your link

    Send one link. Friends and family follow your dot live, from anywhere.

  3. Get voice cheers

    Get voice cheers

    Their voice messages play in your headphones, right when you need them.

Let them run the race with you

Share one link. Your people follow you live on the map and their voice cheers play in your headphones.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Frequently asked questions

What’s the best running app for marathon training?

It depends on what you need: Runna if you want a personalized plan, Strava for tracking and community, Nike Run Club for free guided runs. On race day, add the race’s official app for chip times and CheerMyRun so your people can follow and cheer you live.

Which app can track marathon runners live?

The race’s official app shows chip times at each timing mat. CheerMyRun shows your live position between mats from your phone’s GPS; your family opens a link in any browser, with no app or account, and can send voice cheers.

Do I need a running watch to train for a marathon?

No. Strava, Nike Run Club, Runna and adidas Running all track runs with your phone’s GPS. A watch adds heart rate and makes pacing easier, but plenty of runners finish their first marathon with just a phone.

Is there a free marathon training app?

Yes. Nike Run Club offers free guided runs and training plans. Strava, adidas Running and Garmin Connect are free to use, with paid tiers for extra features. Runna, built around personalized plans, runs on a subscription.

Is CheerMyRun a training app?

No. CheerMyRun is for race day and any run you want company on: a live map for your supporters and voice cheers in your headphones. Keep your training app; CheerMyRun works alongside it and alongside official race trackers.

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