Bao Run

Running plans that bend. Your running plan, parkrun included. Missed a run? Just move it.

Whether it's Couch to 5K or a marathon, Bao builds a plan around the days you can run, then reshuffles when your week changes. Saturday parkrun built in.

Missed Tuesday? Drag it to Thursday. I'll sort out the rest.

Get started See how it works

Public beta. Free to start, in your browser or on Android.

Bao Run's Today screen on a parkrun Saturday Bao Run's Today screen on a parkrun Saturday

Flexible

Your plan adjusts as you do.

Hold a run and drag it up to three days either way. It still counts towards the week it came from, so a busy week doesn't leave the next one overloaded.

  • Ill or injured? Tell Bao, and your streak carries on.
  • Only a missed run breaks your streak, never a rest day.
Bao Run's calendar, with Thursday's run moved to Friday Bao Run's calendar, with Thursday's run moved to Friday

parkrun

Saturday's parkrun, planned in.

Tell Bao you go to parkrun and Saturday's session happens on the course: an easy 5K in a lighter week, or with faster stretches as you build.

  • Your hard sessions go on other days, so you turn up fresh.
  • Just starting out? Run your intervals, then walk to the finish.
  • Christmas Day, New Year's Day: Bao knows your country's extra parkruns and offers to swap one in.
Bao Run's week, with Saturday's parkrun as part of the plan Bao Run's week, with Saturday's parkrun as part of the plan

Adapts

One question after every run.

How did that feel? A tap from 1 to 10, or one of three words if you're new. That's all Bao needs to keep the plan right for you.

  • Struggling? Bao offers an easier week, or to repeat one.
  • Cruising? It suggests a step up.
  • Connect Health Connect, and a short night's sleep can mean an easier day.
Rating a run in Bao Run, on a scale from 1 to 10 Rating a run in Bao Run, on a scale from 1 to 10

Progress

Watch the runs add up.

A streak of planned runs, badges for real milestones like your first 10K or a run before 7am, and Couch to 5K's 27 runs ticked off one at a time.

Bao Run's progress screen, with weekly distance, likely race times and badges Bao Run's progress screen, with weekly distance, likely race times and badges

A browser or a phone is all you need. Bao can also bring in runs from Strava, Health Connect or any watch's FIT file, and send your runs to Strava.

Get Bao

Bao is in public beta. Make your plan in your browser, or get the Android app for GPS tracking and recovery from your sleep.

Get started Download for Android

The Android beta comes straight from us, not Google Play yet, so your phone will ask you to allow the install. Same account and plan as the browser.

Fair questions

Is it finished?

Not quite. It's a public beta: plans, tracking and imports work, and there'll be rough edges. Tell us at [email protected] when you hit one.

Is it free?

Couch to 5K is free and stays free. Plans for longer distances will be a small subscription. No ads, and nobody's data is for sale.

Do I need a watch?

No. The Android app tracks your run with your phone's GPS and tells you when to run and when to walk. If you have a watch, Bao can use its runs too, through Strava or a FIT file.

Can I use it without the app?

Yes. Bao works in any modern browser, on a laptop or a phone, with the same plan and the same account. Bring your runs in from Strava or your watch. Tracking a run with GPS, and recovery from your sleep, need the Android app.

What about iPhone?

There's no iPhone app yet, but Bao works in Safari. Android's app comes first.

Is Bao a doctor?

No, Bao is a bun in a headband. If you have a health condition or haven't exercised in a while, check with your GP before you start.

What happens to my data?

It's used to plan your running and nothing else. It's stored in London and never sold. The privacy policy has the details.