Secret Santa Gifts for Ultra Marathon Runners
Secret Santa Gifts For Ultrarunners
Buying gifts for ultra runners is a bit of a nightmare for "normal" people. We enjoy waking up at 4am to run in the mud, we eat baby food for fun, and our idea of a good time usually involves losing a toenail.
If you’ve drawn the name of a ultra marathon nutter for Secret Santa this year (or if you just want to drop some heavy hints to your own family), you don’t want to end up getting a generic box of chocolates. We want gear. We want snacks. We want things that stop us from chafing.
Here is a round-up of Secret Santa gifts and stocking fillers that will actually get used out on the trails.
Stocking Fillers For Trail Runners
1. Versus Trail Running Socks
Price: £16.99 Buy them here
There is a universal rule in life that socks are a boring Christmas gift. However, that rule is completely suspended for runners. We love socks. Specifically, we love socks that stop our feet from falling apart at mile 40. Versus socks look brilliant, but more importantly, they offer the cushioning and moisture-wicking magic needed to keep blisters at bay. You can never have too many pairs.
2. Harrier Mini Runner First Aid Kit
Price: £11.99 (Plus 10% off with code: GBUR10) Buy it here
Safety gear is mandatory for most races, but it can be a pain to pack. This little kit from Harrier is a game-changer. It’s specifically designed to be shoved into a race vest without taking up valuable snack space. It keeps the Race Director happy during kit check and might just save the day if things go pear-shaped on a training run. Use code GBUR10 to snag a discount.
Runners First Aid Kit - £11.99 (plus 10% off)
3. Boot Bananas Shoe Deodorisers
Price: £14.99 Buy them here
Let’s address the elephant in the room: ultra runners smell. And our shoes? They smell worse. Boot Bananas are the perfect passive-aggressive gift for the runner in your life (or a kindness to the people you live with). You shove them in your post-run trainers and they absorb the funk. It’s a gift for the runner, but really, it’s a gift for the whole household. 😉
Boot Bananas Shoe Deodorisers - £14.99
4. DexShell Waterproof Running Socks
Price: £26.99 Buy it here
Living in the UK means accepting that your feet are going to get wet. Or does it? These DexShell socks are essentially magic. They look and feel like normal running socks, but they hide a waterproof membrane that keeps the bog water out while still letting your feet breathe. For an ultra runner, dry feet aren't just a luxury; they are the difference between a strong finish and the dreaded "trench foot." They are a bit pricier than your standard pair, but can you really put a price on dry toes in February?
DexShell Waterproof Trail Running Socks - £26.99
5. Ice RAD-dana (Ice Bandana)
Price: £17 Buy it here
Versatility is key when you’re carrying everything on your back. The Ice RAD-dana isn’t just a catchy name, it’s a brilliant bit of kit for keeping your core temperature down during those sweaty summer ultras. It has a pocket specifically designed to hold ice against your neck, but it works just as well as a standard buff or head covering. Stay cool, look cool.
6. Runr Winter Running Hat
Price: £21.00 (Plus 10% off with code: GBULTRA10) Buy it here
We do live in the UK, so for 80% of the year, running involves shivering. A decent bobble hat isn't just for the run; it's essential for that post-ultra state where your body temperature plummets and you're trying to drink a cup of tea with shaking hands. These Runr hats are stylish enough to wear to the pub afterwards, too. Don’t forget to use code GBULTRA10 for 10% off.
Runr Winter Hat - £21 (plus 10% off)
7. Purendure Natural Energy Gels (Mixed Pack)
Price: £18.39 (if you use the 20% discount code: GBULTRA20) Buy them here
The "GI distress" DNF is a runner's worst nightmare. Purendure focuses on natural ingredients, which is a godsend when your stomach has decided to go on strike 50km into a race. This mixed 12 pack is a great way to test out Purendure's flavours (which taste incredible by the way!) without committing to a massive box. It’s practical fuel that tastes like actual food. Grab 20% off with code GBULTRA20.
8. Body Glide Anti-Chafing Balm
Price: £13.99 Buy it here
If you know, you know. There is nothing quite like the sting of the post-ultra shower to let you know exactly where you forgot to apply this stuff. Body Glide is essential survival gear. It might seem like a weird gift to give someone ("Here, rub this on your inner thighs"), but trust me, they will thank you for it when they can still walk like a human being the next day.
9. OGT Wrapper-Free Energy Bars
Price: £21.50 (if you use the 20% discount code: GBULTRA20) Buy them here
Fumbling with sticky plastic wrappers while wearing gloves in the freezing rain is a special kind of torture. OGT (One Good Thing) bars solve the litter problem and the faff problem in one go. They are delicious, high-energy and wrapper-free. This variety pack helps keep ‘flavour fatigue’ away during long events. Save 20% with code GBULTRA20.
One Good Thing Energy Bars - £21.50
10. Salomon Soft Speed Cup
Price: £6.99 Buy it here
Most trail races these days are "cupless" to save on plastic waste, which is brilliant for the environment but a nightmare if you forget your own cup. No one wants to be the runner trying to scoop Coca-Cola into their cupped hands at an aid station. This Salomon cup is collapsible, weighs absolutely nothing and satisfies that mandatory kit list requirement. It’s a practical little stocking filler that saves a lot of hassle on race day.
Salomon Soft Speed Cup - £6.99
11. Silva Smini Fly Headtorch
Price: £39.99 Buy it here
Headtorches are usually heavy and bulky, but the Silva Smini Fly is tiny. Admittedly, at almost £40, this is at the "premium" end for a Secret Santa gift, so you must really like the person whose name you drew this year (or maybe you're just trying to show everyone else up). That said, Silva kit is worth the investment. This is the perfect backup light to keep in an emergency kit, or for those evening runs where you just need some illumination to dodge the puddles. It’s ultra-lightweight, so they won’t even notice they’re carrying it until they need it. A brilliant, high-quality stocking filler for trail runners.
Silva Smini Fly Headlamp - £39.99
12. Build & Fitness Running Flipbelt
Price: From £19.49 (varies by colour/size) Buy it here
Bumbags are back in fashion (allegedly), but for runners, they have a major flaw: the bounce. There is nothing more annoying than your keys jingling like a Morris dancer with every step. The Flipbelt is the solution. It sits flat against your waist, swallows your massive modern smartphone, keys, and gels, and simply does not move. It’s perfect for those shorter training runs where a race vest feels like overkill but you still need your essentials.
Christmas Presents For Long Distance Runners
Hopefully, this guide takes the panic out of hunting down those elusive Secret Santa gifts for ultra marathon runners. Whether you are scrambling for budget-friendly stocking fillers for trail runners or looking for practical ideas for Christmas presents for long distance runners, you really can’t go wrong with kit that keeps us fed, comfortable, and safe on the hills. Good luck with your shopping, and here’s hoping your chosen secret Santa gifts for ultrarunners are the envy of the post-run party!
*All prices are correct at the time of listing.
