Hi. After 9 painful months of trying I’ve finally given up on using a run pod. In those 9 months I’ve managed a total of 41 miles from 14 interrupted runs. I’ve been through the whole help process twice from start to finish ending in protracted email conversations and when, this afternoon I found myself chasing bot chat round in circles… Well, enough is enough.
I’m a triathlete. I need to jump off the bike and run, not wander round the house looking for Bluetooth devices to switch off and then sit and adjust settings only to find that the bike trainer won’t connect next time I log on. Unacceptable Zwift!
I’m done with the run pod. Rant over.
Where do I go from here? Are there alternatives?
I assume that Zwift have introduced the Runn as a more robust alternative to the pod? How have people’s experiences been with Runn? Would I be throwing good money after bad? Feel free to defend your product Zwift Ambassadors.
If you’re looking for an affordable, reliable way to track your treadmill running metrics, I highly recommend the Runn sensor which I’ve used it consistently for over five years, and it has delivered excellent results. The Runn sensor was developed by North Pole Eng -not Zwift!
Accurate Tracking (via Ant+ or BLE): The Runn sensor provides reliable data for speed, cadence, and distance. Whether you’re training for a race or just logging miles, its precision ensures accurate feedback.
Incline Data via Bluetooth: One of its standout features is the ability to track incline data seamlessly via Bluetooth.
Easy Setup and Durability: Attaching the sensor to the treadmill was simple, and its durable build has held up perfectly over years of “serious” use.
For anyone serious about tracking their treadmill runs, the Runn sensor is a long-term investment that delivers exceptional value. It’s one of the best upgrades I’ve made to my treadmill experience. Btw, over the years, I have accumulated many pods (even the stryd) there are all pretty useless in comparison.
Note: Two things to take into a) since I installed it I kept it connected to a power source 24/7 and b) I measured the length of the running belt and placed stickers “all” along the belt at equidistant intervals, not just 2 or 3 stickers.
In my experience, the Runn has been highly reliable, and many users share similar satisfaction. I believe a lot of its reliability comes from being methodical in how you use it.
As I’ve mentioned before (and I’ll emphasize again ), it’s crucial to keep the battery charged at all times. Some users have reported issues where the Runn stopped working after being unused for a while, only to find the battery completely dead.
Connectivity largely depends on how you connect to Zwift. I use a PC, and the Runn supports both ANT+ and BLE. Personally, I pair the Runn to my Garmin 955 via ANT+ to record data directly to my Garmin Connect account. I also connect it to Zwift/Strava using either ANT+ or BLE, and both options work fine.
That said, while using a PC, I’ve found ANT+ to be more reliable overall—likely because I already have too many BLE devices connected at once.
Note: if you want incline data, you need to pair it via BLE.
I would email support@zwift.com and tell them you want a warranty replacement. If they agree, then you have a new product you can sell if you want to be rid of it.
), it’s crucial to keep the battery charged at all times. Some users have reported issues where the Runn stopped working after being unused for a while, only to find the battery completely dead.