A GPX file is a standard GPS format that works with all running watches and apps. It contains waypoints that guide you along the heart-shaped route, turn by turn.

Which devices are compatible?

CityHeart routes work with Garmin, Apple Watch (via WorkOutDoors or Strava), Coros, Suunto, Polar, and any app that imports GPX files like Strava, Komoot, or AllTrails.

How do I load the GPX on my watch?

For Garmin: upload via Garmin Connect. For Apple Watch: use the Strava or WorkOutDoors app. For Coros: import through the Coros app. Each takes under 2 minutes.

Can I modify the route after purchase?

Yes! Use our free route editor to adjust the start point, distance, or shape. You can also re-generate a new heart in the same city at no extra cost.

Can I gift a heart route to someone who runs?

Yes. Use the gift option at checkout: they get a personal gift page and GPX in their city — ideal for Valentine's Day, birthdays, and anniversaries.

How accurate is the heart shape?

The route follows real roads, so it won't be mathematically perfect. But viewed on Strava or Garmin, the shape is clearly recognizable as a heart — that's the magic of GPS art.

How do I find new routes for my run club every week?

Build a rotation instead of hunting each week. Keep one anchor loop from your usual meeting point, three or four alternates at the same distance to cycle through, and one monthly route that exists for an occasion. Deciding on Monday from a fixed set takes a minute; deciding on the night takes the whole evening and produces the same loop again.

How far should a run club route be?

Pick one distance and keep it stable, then split by pace rather than by length. Five kilometres is the usual anchor because it welcomes a beginner without boring a regular, and 8 to 10 km suits a club whose members mostly race. Changing the distance every week is what makes newcomers stop turning up: they cannot tell whether tonight is for them.

What is a themed run, and why bother?

A themed run is a route with a reason attached — a date, a cause, an anniversary. It gives members something to invite a friend to, something worth photographing, and something the local press can write about, none of which a normal Tuesday loop provides. The calendar supplies the reasons: Valentine's in February, Mental Health Awareness in May, Breast Cancer Awareness in October, Movember in November.

Should a running shop run its own club?

The trade thinks so. The Running Event scores community work directly in its Best Running Store evaluation, and run clubs have become a reason people walk through the door rather than order online. The practical constraint is that it has to be sustainable for whoever is handed the job, which is why the route problem matters more than it looks.

How do members get the route onto their watch?

Send a GPX file ahead of the run. It loads onto Garmin, Apple Watch, Coros, Suunto and Strava, and it means nobody is following the group blind or stopping at junctions. Posting only a meeting point works until someone arrives late, at which point they go home instead.

Run Club Route Ideas: How to Get a New One Every Week

2026-08-18 · 7 min read · Guide

Every guide to starting a run club says "pick routes" and stops there. Here is how to actually get a fresh route each week, theme it to the month, and send everyone home with a GPX. This comprehensive guide covers everything runners need to know about GPS art, heart-shaped routes, and how to create stunning Strava activities that stand out. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced GPS artist, you will find actionable tips, real-world examples, and step-by-step instructions to elevate your running with creative route planning.

GPS art has exploded in popularity among runners worldwide. Over 3,000 curated heart-shaped routes are available on CityHeart across 200+ cities in 50+ countries. Each route is designed to follow real roads and paths, creating a clear heart shape visible on Strava, Garmin Connect, Apple Health, and other fitness tracking platforms. Routes range from 3 km to 15 km, making them accessible for walkers, joggers, and marathon runners alike.

Ready to try GPS art? CityHeart routes start at just €4.99 with instant GPX download. No subscription required. Compatible with Garmin, Apple Watch, Coros, Suunto, Polar, and any device that imports GPX files. Perfect for marathon shakeout runs, Valentine's Day, birthdays, anniversaries, or any day you want to make your run more meaningful.

Key takeaways

GPS art routes follow real streets to create shapes visible on running apps
CityHeart offers 3,000+ curated heart routes in 200+ cities worldwide
Routes are available as GPX files compatible with all major running watches
Distances range from 3 km to 15 km for all fitness levels
€4.99 per route — instant download, no subscription

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find new routes for my run club every week?: Build a rotation instead of hunting each week. Keep one anchor loop from your usual meeting point, three or four alternates at the same distance to cycle through, and one monthly route that exists for an occasion. Deciding on Monday from a fixed set takes a minute; deciding on the night takes the whole evening and produces the same loop again.
How far should a run club route be?: Pick one distance and keep it stable, then split by pace rather than by length. Five kilometres is the usual anchor because it welcomes a beginner without boring a regular, and 8 to 10 km suits a club whose members mostly race. Changing the distance every week is what makes newcomers stop turning up: they cannot tell whether tonight is for them.
What is a themed run, and why bother?: A themed run is a route with a reason attached — a date, a cause, an anniversary. It gives members something to invite a friend to, something worth photographing, and something the local press can write about, none of which a normal Tuesday loop provides. The calendar supplies the reasons: Valentine's in February, Mental Health Awareness in May, Breast Cancer Awareness in October, Movember in November.
Should a running shop run its own club?: The trade thinks so. The Running Event scores community work directly in its Best Running Store evaluation, and run clubs have become a reason people walk through the door rather than order online. The practical constraint is that it has to be sustainable for whoever is handed the job, which is why the route problem matters more than it looks.
How do members get the route onto their watch?: Send a GPX file ahead of the run. It loads onto Garmin, Apple Watch, Coros, Suunto and Strava, and it means nobody is following the group blind or stopping at junctions. Posting only a meeting point works until someone arrives late, at which point they go home instead.