Allie Ostrander
This professional runner posts slice-of-life videos which show her eating, talking with her mom, and hanging around her hotel room, interspersed with clips of her workouts. She also labels each workout shown on the video with what exercises she does and the estimated time it takes. Fans enjoy her fun personality and candor, so be sure to let your own personality shine through when you make fitness videos.
C Tolle Run
Olympian Carrie Tollefson hosts this YouTube channel with tips for runners, pre-planned workouts, advice about workout gear and equipment, and more. Videos like this one on choosing the right running shoe take an in-depth look at things that affect your running experience. On-screen graphics help you follow along with the important points being made in the video. Carrie is enthusiastic and goes beyond running, demonstrating a wide variety of workouts from Bosu balls to planking. She also offers gift guides for runners and shows off new products that appeal to athletes.
Runner’s World
Not every great YT channel has to focus on one person’s personality. If you don’t think you’re the affable host type, you could consider creating a channel where you curate a wide variety of content, like Runner’s World. However, Runner’s World isn’t devoid of personality: This channel features everything from interviews with accomplished athletes like Sha’Carri Richardson and Allyson Felix, to regular people like the 47-year-old handyman who is one of the fastest runners in the world.
They also utilize the series function, establishing several popular collections of videos, such as Race Recaps and The Cut Up, which focuses on in-depth examinations of running shoes and other gear. Creating a series of videos is a great way to increase views for multiple posts on your channel, encourage subscription, and keep viewers coming back.
Adidas Running
This branded YT channel isn’t just for selling shoes. Adidas also uses series, including The Network Effect, which focuses on promoting social change through sports, and Festival of Running, which supports people training for 5Ks. Keep this in mind if you’re starting a channel to promote a brand, either a company or your own personal brand. You always want your viewers to feel that the focus is on them or something they care about, not just your branding efforts. Consider a series to support other people, either with philanthropic efforts or just with their personal goals (such as running a 5K or 10K).
The Run Experience
This channel also has an outward focus, specializing in helping runners overcome various challenges, like injuries and burnout. It also speaks to different points in a runner’s journey, from the How to Start Running series for beginners, to tips for intermediate runners who want to improve, to more advanced advice for long-time runners, to tips for beating burnout if you’ve been running for some time. There are also series for specific goals, like How to Run Fast or How to Run Far, as well as a nutrition series. Offering multiple “how to” videos is another possibility for your running channel, as viewers frequently search for how-to help on the site.
Run Steep Get High
Another option is to focus on a specific niche in your topic:
- Run Steep Get High does this by concentrating its videos on the subject of trail and outdoor running.
- All the content is tailored for people who like to run outdoors, including ultra marathons.
- Videos cover training runs, packing for ultra marathons, interviews with outdoor runners, and races.
Treadmill TV
Not the outdoorsy type? Treadmill TV provides video “virtual runs” so you can enjoy the sights without leaving your climate-controlled, wifi-connected living room. Each video is taken from the point of view of someone walking or running an outdoor path, such as the hike to Makapu’u Lighthouse in Oahu, Central Park in New York City, Marina Bay in Singapore, or one of many other locations. Treadmill TV shows us that while expansive channels with multiple series are often successful, picking one hyper-specific template for a video and doing it over and over can also work well.
VO2max Productions
This YT channel offers “sage running advice by a pro.” Pro athlete Sage Canady hosts, sharing everything from his adventures on various trails to tips on training and running form. Weekly posts keep viewers coming back for more and encourage subscriptions, which is why it’s always a good idea to post regularly. If you can’t do weekly videos like Canady, consider a twice-monthly schedule, and make it the same time each week, such as the second and fourth Thursday of every month.
The Ginger Runner
Divided into multiple series, The Ginger Runner channel offers something for everyone:
- GNGERBTS Daily is a behind-the-scenes look at the host’s typical running activities and adventures.
- Gear Reviews provides thoughtful commentary on shoes, clothes, and other accessories for running or fitness.
- Ginger Runner Live is a weekly live show where Ethan Newsberry interviews other runners and fitness experts, allowing viewers to ask questions in the chat thread (which is also recorded for those who can’t watch live).
- Created Playlists includes a variety of running playlists viewers can try out.
- The Ginger Runner Adventure Club features video footage of races and runs in scenic outdoor locations.
Harry Runs
Elite runner Harry’s YT channel covers him racing and training all over the world. He has a series on running and training tips with surprising advice, such as explaining why static stretching before running isn’t a good idea. In the How I Train & Eat series Harry discusses his experiences as an athlete and a vegan, including how he trains and eats when preparing for a race or difficult run. The Q & A series makes running accessible for viewers, with Harry answering his fans’ questions about running and training.
Everyone can learn tips to boost their channel’s stats, especially views from these Top 10 YouTube Channels for Runners. If you still need some help growing your audience, that’s understandable – the site rewards YouTubers that already have the most hits, so until you become popular you may need to use other strategies to kick-start your growth. One great option is to pay for YouTube views and get cheap hits for your videos. Be sure to do this often with new posts, because all your great content deserves to be seen.
