Why Do You Have Duplicate Activities?
Runna makes it easy to connect with multiple running devices and apps, ensuring a seamless training experience. However, if you’ve linked more than one device or app, you might occasionally see duplicate activity entries.
This happens when the same run is recorded across multiple sources, like your GPS watch and phone. We understand that some runners prefer recording workouts on different devices, and our system is designed to handle these cases properly. That way, your training data stays accurate, and Runna remains a reliable tool for tracking your progress.
How Does Runna Handle Duplicate Activities?
Detecting Duplicates
Whenever you save an activity in Runna or import one from another source, our system automatically checks for duplicates. It does this by comparing key details such as time, distance, and location to determine if an entry is a duplicate
Aligning User Metrics
If a duplicate activity is detected, Runna ensures that it doesn’t inflate your total training stats. Duplicate activities are saved in the background but won’t contribute to key cumulative metrics like total distance, activity count, total time running, or weekly mileage. This keeps your stats accurate and aligned with your actual training.
How to View and Manage Duplicate Activities in the App
Spotting Duplicates
You can check for duplicate activities directly in your activities list. If an activity has been recorded from multiple sources, you’ll see icons in the top right of the Activity Summary Card that indicate the different sources (e.g., Garmin, Strava, or the Runna app).
For example, if you recorded a workout using both your Garmin watch and the Runna app, your activity might display both icons. This lets you confirm that the session was logged from multiple sources.
When you select the workout, you will see the following:
Merging Activities Automatically
On the Activity Summary Screen (shown above), you will find your duplicate activity recordings merged into a single activity. We take the most accurate pieces of data from your recordings to produce one complete workout recording. How?
Runna merges duplicate activities to create a single, most accurate version of your run. If you recorded your workout on both a GPS watch and the Runna app, the system will prioritize the more precise GPS data from your watch.
However, for treadmill runs, the phone’s recording takes priority since GPS isn’t applicable indoors. If your activities aren’t merging automatically, check that they were started within 30 seconds of each other. If they weren’t, our system might not recognize them as duplicates.
Manually Refreshing Merges
If your activities haven’t merged as expected, try the following:
Log out and back into the Runna app to refresh the sync.
Navigate to the activities tab and pull down to refresh your activity list.
Check that your devices are correctly linked in the app settings.
Example Use Case: Recording on a Treadmill
Let’s say you record a treadmill run on both the Runna app and a wearable smartwatch. The Runna app provides the most accurate speed and distance data for treadmill workouts, while your smartwatch records additional stats like heart rate, cadence, and power. Runna automatically merges these two recordings, combining the most useful data from each into a single, complete workout entry
Preventing Duplicate Activity Syncing from Strava
If you have Strava linked to Runna, you may notice duplicate activities appearing in your training calendar. This usually happens when:
You record your run directly in Runna, and Strava syncs it back to the app.
Your Garmin watch syncs with both Runna and Strava, causing the same workout to appear twice in your Runna activity log.
To prevent this, you can:
Record your workout directly in Runna or via your GPS watch’s Workouts function (e.g., Garmin > Start > Run > Workouts).
If an activity is logged as a free run in Strava, manually link it to your planned workout in your Runna training calendar by tapping Link Activity and selecting the correct recording.
Final Thoughts
We know that keeping track of training data is important for monitoring progress and making informed adjustments to your plan. Runna’s duplicate activity handling ensures that your stats remain accurate, giving you confidence in your training data. If you ever need to edit or manually adjust your activities, you can do so in the Training Calendar section of the app.
For further assistance, check out our Help Center or reach out to our support team via the Support Tab in the app.