Runna has announced a partnership with Loughborough University that will feed current sports-science research into the running app’s coach-designed training plans, according to Tom’s Guide. The report frames the move as part of Runna’s effort to distinguish its training system from AI-generated plans by emphasizing human coaching and research-led personalization. Tom’s Guide reports that Runna, which Strava bought in May 2025, currently builds plans using algorithms created by experienced, qualified coaches. New users are asked questions about their running background and goals, and the app uses that information to select an appropriate plan. Runna Head Coach Steph Kessell, described by Tom’s Guide as a former Olympian, said the Loughborough partnership is intended to keep the product aligned with sports science as research changes over time. The reported focus is not just performance, but reducing injury risk while helping runners reach their goals. Kessell told Tom’s Guide that injury is a major concern with AI training plans because runners with similar experience levels can still require different training loads. She cited her own marathon background, saying her mileage was lower than some Olympic peers because of her biomechanics and running style. The most concrete metric in the report is Runna’s own estimate: the company says it has a 43% lower self-reported injury rate per 1,000 hours of training compared with a 2015 Sports Medicine benchmark. That figure should be treated as company-reported; the cluster does not include independent validation of the methodology or comparison set. Tom’s Guide also reports that Runna uses runner data to assess whether a plan remains suitable. If users are missing pace targets, the app may advise them to slow down; if they are doing more than they committed to, it may suggest they can move up. Kessell described the process as finding a baseline and then adjusting from there. For operators, the story is a modest but clear example of consumer fitness software leaning into domain expertise as a product differentiator. Runna is not presenting itself as a generic AI plan generator in this report; it is emphasizing coach-built algorithms, sports-science input and adaptive guidance around training load. Who benefits: Runna users may benefit if the Loughborough collaboration improves the app’s training guidance and injury-risk management. Runna and Strava also benefit if the partnership strengthens Runna’s positioning against AI-generated training plans. Who's exposed: Runners relying on generic AI-generated training plans may face the risk Kessell identified: training that does not account for individual biomechanics, background or load tolerance. The report does not name specific competing apps or services.