How to run with friends: the best squad running app for India

Running with friends is what keeps you coming back

Running alone can be peaceful. But running with friends is what keeps most people coming back.

Whether it's meeting for an early-morning run, racing to the finish, or simply knowing someone is waiting for you, running together adds accountability, motivation and fun that solo runs often can't match.

The challenge? Life gets busy. Friends live in different neighbourhoods — or even different cities. Finding running buddies who match your pace and schedule isn't always easy. That's where a good squad running app makes all the difference.

Why running with friends works

People are far more likely to stay consistent when they run with others. Why?

• You're accountable to someone else.
• Friendly competition pushes you a little further.
• Celebrating progress together makes running more enjoyable.
• Even on days when motivation disappears, your squad gives you a reason to show up.

The goal isn't to run faster every day. It's to keep running.

What makes a great squad running app?

The best apps don't just track your distance — they help you stay connected before, during and after every run. Look for:

• Live location during runs
• Squad leaderboards
• Shared running challenges
• Team streaks
• Real-time cheers
• Running clubs and local communities
• The ability to run together — even from different cities

These features turn running into a shared experience instead of a solo workout.

How Run on Realms makes running together more fun

Run on Realms is built around the idea that running is better when it's shared.

Start a group, or join a squad

Start a private group with your friends — free — or race your family every day. Join a squad near you for free; starting your own public squad, with squad stats, needs Pro. Squads climb the weekly squad board together.

Run together from anywhere

Your group doesn't have to be in the same city. Whether your friends are in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Pune or Chennai, you can share a run live, see how everyone's week is going, and stay connected.

Cheer each other on

Sometimes a simple "Your squad is cheering for you!" is enough to help you finish that last kilometre. Small moments like these build consistency over time.

Complete group challenges

Take on a challenge together — distance, days run, a long run — and see who in the group is still to finish, instead of running only for yourself.

Compete without meeting

Can't meet in person? Race the holder's ghost on any realm — the run that holds it, drawn on the map — and see if you can out-run it.

Find running buddies in India

Getting started is simple. Bring the friends you already run with — share a link or a code — join a squad in your city, or find new runners near you who share similar goals. Whether you're training for your first 5K or simply trying to stay active, a squad makes showing up much easier.

More than a running tracker

Most running apps answer one question: "How far did you run?" Run on Realms asks something different: "Who did you run with, and what did your squad achieve this week?"

Every run moves your squad up the weekly board, keeps your streak alive and counts toward your group's challenge — something larger than a single workout. Running becomes a shared adventure instead of another activity on your fitness tracker.

Start your running squad

Whether your friends live next door or across the country, staying connected shouldn't stop when the run begins. Run on Realms helps you run with your group, stay accountable, compete together, and turn every run into a shared achievement.

Join the waitlist → — bring your friends, and run together.

More reading: How realms work · Best running app in India (2026)