Treadmill running has never been more popular, and this smart Wahoo trainer lets runners like Cole Hawker change pace without touching the controls.
From world 5000m champion Cole Hawker and Olympic 5000m champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen to British record holders George Mills and Eilish McColgan to ultra runners Jim Walmsley and Tom Evans, many of the world’s best runners seem to be training regularly on the track these days.
The boom in the popularity of track running was also shown recently when World Athletics announced the inauguration. World Championship in 2026, meaning “unknown runners” could have a Rocky Balboa-style shot at the title, taking on top athletes over 5km.
So what better time to hit the treadmill? What better machine too than the Wahoo KICKR RUN?
Wahoo made a name for themselves by producing modern turbo trainers for indoor cycling, and their move into the world of running could have a similar effect.
At £5,999.99, the KICKR RUN is not for people looking for a budget treadmill. Rather, it’s a high-end car that has already been described as a “game changer” by some reviewers.
Hawker, Olympic 1500m gold medalist and Olympic 5000m champion“Some of my first impressions of the KICKR RUN were naturalness, which I’ve never experienced on another treadmill before.
“I would describe the KICKR RUN to someone who has never run on it before as the closest you can get to outdoor running without going outside.”
Its big feature is the ‘RunFree’ mode, which takes the meaning of the word ‘smart’ to a new level as it automatically adjusts its speed depending on your position on the belt. In other words, you don’t even have to touch the controls.
In conjunction with Zwift Run, runners will be able to “let their feet control the speed” as well as “automatically sense gradient changes” as they train or race in the virtual world. Along with this, there’s also a terrain mode for side-to-side leaning that better mimics natural outdoor conditions, as well as a built-in ‘time-of-flight’ sensor designed to keep the user focused on the treadmill.
Overall, the goal was to give the runner the feeling of running outdoors without leaving the house. This gives the runner the same natural rhythm, flow and freedom they would experience on roads or trails.
You can of course also adjust the speed using the controls if you like. But they’re minimal, and the paddles on either side of the machine are “powerful,” as Wahoo describes it, giving you plenty of control over speed or gradient without breaking your stride or focus.
“It’s groundbreaking,” says ultrarunning icon Walmsley. “In indoor cycling, Wahoo came in and turned what used to be a boring indoor bike trainer at home that no one liked to use into an actual virtual riding experience. KICKR RUN is the same for running.”
He adds: “You don’t have to put your finger in the right place, just tap the paddle a little.”
Let’s go through the special features of KICKR RUN…
Run for free. Immersive RunFree mode allows you to run naturally. the treadmill adjusts to your pace without interaction. 4:00/mile max sprints, intervals, and tempo runs are suitable for the fastest runners.
Dynamic movement. The treadmill’s responsive surface, grade modeling, and lateral incline simulate ups, downs, and outdoor surfaces to challenge and engage the same muscles as running outdoors.
Intuitive design. The clean dashboard and accessible control paddles minimize the need to interact with the treadmill during your workout so you can focus on your run.
Connected running. Compatible with leading apps such as Wahoo, Zwift, Kinomap, Humango, Peloton, KICKR RUN provides a connected running experience with essential metrics; It’s a treadmill designed with many third-party apps in mind.
Safe and secure. KICKR RUN offers several features to make sure you and those around you are always safe. When running in free mode, the unique time-of-flight sensor keeps you securely on the treadmill as your pace fluctuates, with no manual input required. RunFree Pace Limit allows users to control their running by setting a maximum pace when using RunFree mode.
Strong and silent. The KICKR RUN’s professional-grade construction absorbs impact and dampens noise for a quiet, grounded ride that feels solid with every step. Whether you’re accelerating fast, late, or in common areas, you can focus on your run without drawing attention to it.
more about KICKR RUN click here
Note that there is a 25% discount for KICKR RUN in the US until December 1st
