Overview

Nike Run Club is a global running companion app designed for beginners and elite athletes alike. It offers GPS-based run tracking, personalized training plans, audio-guided runs, social sharing, and motivational features, designed to not only measure movement, but to inspire consistency and community around it.

Our role was to help bring that vision to life through reliable engineering, thoughtful UX, and systems that scale globally.

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Our Role

We supported the development and growth of the Nike Run Club app across iOS and Android, focusing on:

GPS and motion tracking optimized for accuracy and battery efficiency

Real-time coaching with adaptive pacing and audio cues

Gamification systems including achievements, streaks, and personal milestones

Social features such as leaderboards, run sharing, and community challenges

Analytics pipelines to drive personalized training suggestions and user insights

Seamless integration with wearables and Apple/Google Health APIs

Development Challenges and Solutions

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Delivering accurate run data across devices

Challenge: Different devices and conditions affect GPS reliability, which is critical in a running app.
Solution: We combined motion data and GPS into a unified tracking system, applied smoothing algorithms to account for signal jumps, and optimized battery usage during long runs.

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Making data motivating, not overwhelming

Challenge: Too much technical feedback can discourage casual runners.
Solution: We implemented a layered UX, key stats are front and center, while deeper metrics are accessible through intuitive gestures, making the app friendly to both data-driven athletes and weekend joggers.

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Supporting real-time coaching while keeping the interface simple

Challenge: Audio-guided runs and adaptive pacing required synchronizing real-time data with low-friction interface updates.
Solution: We built a voice feedback engine that responds dynamically to user progress, paired with a run screen that adapts based on pace, distance, and goals.

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Creating a global, scalable backend

Challenge: With millions of users worldwide, the backend needed to handle spikes, sync reliably across devices, and support multiple languages and regulations.
Solution: We implemented a modular service-oriented architecture that separated core run data from user content, allowing for better load distribution and consistent uptime.

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Outcomes and Impact

High retention rates driven by smart coaching and personalized goal tracking

Strong community engagement through challenges and in-app social features

Expanded use across smartwatches and wearables

Recognition as a benchmark in fitness app design, performance, and emotional resonance

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Why This Project Matters

Nike Run Club demonstrates how advanced data systems, real-time performance tracking, and motivational UX can combine to create a product that drives real behavior change. It reflects our ability to:

Engineer precise, responsive experiences for active use in real-world conditions

Build resilient, scalable systems for large global audiences

Balance utility and inspiration in design decisions

For teams seeking to build fitness, lifestyle, or behavior-driven apps, this is the standard we deliver against.

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