If you have running buddies, you know the advantages they bring — they’ll encourage you to run when you’d otherwise slack off, or when you just have to one-up a friend. And Runkeeper knows it. The Asics-owned developer has updated its Android and iOS apps with a Running Groups feature that, unsurprisingly, promises to keep you off the couch. As many as 25 people can participate in challenges (such as distance or the most runs), and there’s a group chat to either motivate your pals or trash-talk them when you emerge triumphant.
As VentureBeat observes, the tricky bit is getting everyone to settle on a single running app. You may use Runkeeper, but what if your friends use Endomondo or Nike+ Running (which, we’d add, already has a social feature)? Of course, that’s really the point. If Runkeeper can get you to settle on its app for your running circle, it’s going to get a few new users in one shot. Not that you’ll necessarily complain, especially if you find that solo runs just aren’t cutting it.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC6-HHsE0CU?rel=0&wmode=opaque]
Source: Runkeeper Blog