Apple Fitness+ treadmill users can unlock a Global Running Day badge on June 3 by completing at least a 5K run, Apple said.
Apple is pairing the special badge, which appears in the iPhone Fitness app when the requirement is met, with a new treadmill training plan inside Apple Fitness+, a move the company said is meant to help users train for speed and recovery rather than only log distance.
Apple Fitness+ treadmill program
The new Apple Fitness+ treadmill program is led by Danielle Burnett, founder of the Big Girls Who Run running club, together with Fitness+ coach Sherica Holman, Apple said.
The program includes six 30 second all out sprints inside a single workout, and Apple said the intervals are designed so the coach sets the tempo, which many runners find more effective than watching a timer alone.
Partnership with Strava and runner focused plans
Apple said the treadmill plan is part of a deeper collaboration with Strava. Fitness+ also features a four week strength series developed with Strava athletes Kayla Jeter and Hellah Sidibe that targets the muscle groups runners rely on.
Apple described the goal as helping runners be more stable and run longer, not simply run farther.
How the Fitness+ running ecosystem fits together
Fitness+ already groups running content into a broader path for users: collections for new runners attempting a first 5K or 10K, yoga sessions to improve flexibility, post run mindful cooldowns for recovery, and an audio series called Run Stories that pairs routes with local context and narration.
Price and trial details
Apple said new Fitness+ subscribers receive a one month free trial. After the trial, the service is priced at approximately $7.40 per month (originally 58 HKD / reference rate 1 HKD = 0.1276 USD) or approximately $59.72 per year (originally 468 HKD / reference rate 1 HKD = 0.1276 USD).
Badge rules and data sync
The Global Running Day badge is time limited to June 3, Apple said, and must be unlocked on that day. The badge appears in the Fitness app only after the Health app on the iPhone has a qualifying 5K run recorded.
Apple noted that you do not have to use the built in Workout app to earn the badge. Runs recorded by Nike Run Club or Strava count if those apps are authorized to share running data with the iPhone Health app.
Why syncing matters
Many runners in Hong Kong and elsewhere use two or three apps to manage workouts: Nike Run Club for challenges, Strava for social comparison, and the iPhone Health and Fitness apps to view consolidated totals. If the apps are not linked to the Health app, a 5K logged in another app may not register for the badge.
Nike Run Club and Strava sync steps
Nike Run Club users should open the NRC app, tap the profile icon at the top right, then choose Settings, then Health, and enable Workout sharing to allow runs to flow to the iPhone Health app.
Strava users should open the Strava app, go to Settings, then Apps and Devices, then Health, and enable automatic upload so running data is sent to the Health app.
Both apps need to be granted access only once; runs will then sync automatically. Apple cautioned that menus may vary by iOS and app version.
