I recently reached out on social media to the Zwift running community to see what Zwift running improvements they would like to see and also what bugs they would love to have fixed.
The results were surprising in that the majority of people are really happy with the Zwift running experience. Suggestions for improvements were minimal. The overwhelming majority of responses focused on fixing parts of the experience that don’t quite work as they should.
I’ve touched on it before: it’s common sense to expect that the development of running goes at a slower pace than cycling. Although a healthy number of runners also ride and, therefore, are paying subscribers, there is also a large number of running-only members which Zwift receives no revenue from.
I’ve separated the wish list into two sections: feature improvements and bug fixes. So here you are, Zwift; this is what the running community would like…
Feature Improvements
Full Treadmill Control
For a long time many have wanted Zwift to control their treadmill in terms of automatically adjusting the gradient in line with the route you are running. Hand in hand would be the ability to adjust the speed automatically when doing a workout.
Both of these are possible using third-party software, but Zwift has never done this natively. Those who have tracked the introduction of the Wahoo KICKR Run treadmill will have seen in the videos that this treadmill has that ability within Zwift.
Those with other compatible treadmills would love this too!
Cycling Parity
Of course we want more levels! And more badges for routes (yes I know we just got 10). This I guess is where the debate around paying subscribers comes in. Other requests were for a drop shop to purchase equipment and a running streak like cyclists have. A workout editor also received several requests, it exists for cycling but not running.
Basically, parity with the cycling side of Zwift is sought. So I guess the question would be, “Should runners start paying to open up these extra features?”
Power-Based Metrics
Many advanced runners like to run using power rather than speed. Popular amongst multi-discipline athletes, power-based running using a suitable power meter such as Stryd allows for better analysis of a run in order to calculate efforts, etc…
Retain Mileage Between Events
Most runners run a set distance. A few will run for a set time. I’ve previously touched on how running alone can be dull, whereas in a group it’s more interactive. Therefore, the request is that we retain our distance when we hop in and out of events.
For example, say I’m wanting to run a 10k today. There are two back to back 5k events starting half an hour in between. It would be great to run 5k in the first event, then join the second event but the distance kept as one rather than autosaved and split in two. (I’m also aware of the limitations to doing this, as if the events are in two separate worlds the Companion map for the activity is going to lose the plot a little.)
Integrated Speech To Text
Typing and running is a fine art. Most people can’t manage it. The result is that group runs can be a bit silent. Speech-to-text is hit-and-miss, to say the least. Despite the odd comical interpretation, it’s very dependent on the quality of hardware and software used. Although it would remain reliant on your own hardware, wouldn’t it be great if there was an on-screen button that could be pressed for speech to text?
Bug Fixes
Chat Function
The number one requested fix was the ability to have all chat visible to all runners during group events. The chat function, like cycling, has a proximity limit to stop chat appearing from far away athletes, so it stays relevant. However, running doesn’t attract the large numbers in group events like cycling events, so it would be great if everybody was involved. Likewise, runners don’t tend to run in groups like a cycling peloton and everybody is spread out over a route. (The workaround is to pick group events using a small circular course but then this limits the number of available routes.)
Include/Exclude Time Leaving Pen
The time to leave the pen until the course starts isn’t included in your run. At times, this could be up to 40 seconds, depending on the route. The net effect of this is that your average pace at the end of the group event will not match your actual pace. If you use the Companion app, the time starts when the route starts, whereas the in-game time starts before. This also sends the distance markers wayward. (In London, this in really noticeable.)
Setting A Target
Those that run in KM will have known the fight with the distance target setting. It jumps all over the place and doesn’t accept the distance you set. Changing to miles often resolves this.
Also, the maximum number of KM available to set is 30, which is under marathon distance. The ability to set a target beyond 30 would be awesome.
Beacons
Like cycling, you can have a lead beacon and sweep beacon in run events. If the leader changes mid-event there seems to be a delay in the beacon changing, and if you have two nominated leaders on course the yellow beacon can jump between them. Likewise, the red beacon often isn’t visible to the leader, so they have no idea where the sweep beacon is. Others see the red beacon but the leader doesn’t. Seems to be world/course dependant.
RoboPacers
They suddenly disappeared without warning and seem to be taking a well-earned holiday. Apparently they weren’t that popular, hence them being given a break – but actually people are missing them and would like them to return if possible.
What About You?
Does this list cover the Zwift running feature requests and fixes you’ve got? If not, share yours below!
Simple enough – add more running levels. I’ve been topped out at 30 for a couple of years now.
Hi Charles,
It’s not quite 2 years since level 30 was available but I get your point.
Hopefully we’ll have more levels soon and perhaps they’ll make it harder to achieve the new levels as we seemed to go from level 21 to 30 in no time.
Running pace bots were good, but I always wanted the option of being dropped 1km or a chooseable (is that a word?) distance in front of them. If I choose a fast bot, I tend to like a warmup first but don’t fancy starting two runs, warming up first then choosing a bot.. Setting a distance ahead to start my run would be a nice option.
Full treadmill control would be nice, but you’d need a something like the cycling trainer resistance option to control the incline so you can set it at 25%, 50% etc of the world’s incline as running up the Alpe would be too much for a lot of runners..
I ride and run so pay for the service, running updates are very few and far between so nice to see it being discussed 😀🙏
Personally I would like them to get Zwift run to a stage where they could actually justify charging for it. For me the main one is: more routes, more importantly, more run specific routes. Makuri would offer itself. I’ve been riding through there so many times thinking “there seems to be going off an interesting path. I wish I could run this”. Giving route badges for something they had already done for cycling is ok, but it also comes for free for the Devs and doesn’t really add more content.
First of all, more training plans. Especially plans related to the bike. Triathlon plans that include swimming would be great.
The post was more about runners rather than cyclists & swimmers buy yes more running plans would be good. Especially for those newer runners or working to a specific goal.
I’m beyond being trained I think!
Multi+sport mixer plan is there but needs improvement, they used to have an Olympic distance plan but is now just some workouts.
I wish one of the worlds would have a transition area, you could then start the races a set distance away and when you get there it automatically changes you to run.
Routes and badges for sure. Treadmill auto incline. Drop shop for runners would be great too. It gives you something to work towards.
Auto incline is achievable with 3rd party apps.
It looks as though any chance of Zwift doing it natively is tied in with the Wahoo Kickr Treadmill and looks to be a paid subscription limitation too.
Drop shop would be nice and I guess it’s covered by the cycling parity request.
Keep the current running features free, but have more advanced options/routes/clothing if you pay for the subscription. Just 1 subscription for both the riding and advanced running features. Many runners already pay for riding, so I feel like this would make sense.
Would love for the running plans to be set up as workouts. I love the plans and have tried the half marathon, 10k, and return to running all multiple times. The return to running is the only one I have gone all the way to the end because it is the only one set up as workouts and inevitably you get sick or have life events come up and when that happens you end up in a frustrating no man’s land where you miss crucial workouts at the existing point in the plan and can’t continue but don’t want to start back at the beginning.
You could create the running plan workouts as custom workouts and then complete them at your leisure without the limitation of having to do them in line with the plan.
I have run out of levels at 30 and have no incentive. No drop shop, no level up now. BUT the only reason I have not yet left Zwift to try other platforms like Indie Velo or My Whoosh is the lack of running. I do cycling. I hate the races because I don’t think they are very accurate when people use their smart watches as the cadence sensors. Duathlon league was most noticeable. There are people running in those races that are throwing down Olympic human run splits! So I don’t love the races for this reason. Also I am on a Team- and we do not have Team kits. We have asked Zwift several times for a Team jersey (Team Fearless Women) and still nothing. I always joke that running is Zwift’s red-headed step child.
Racing is always hard to be able to verify. I know of multiple ways to cheat whilst running.
Hence the lack of racing events. And many runners don’t actually care for racing.
You can run on MyWhoosh but in my experience it’s nowhere near good enough yet.
In terms of team/club jerseys there are certain criteria that need to be met for a custom Jersey. Number of members, community engagement etc..
I suspect that’ll be an issue.
Also the development time for custom running kits is small, even the Pride On events didn’t get a new running kit this year.
We are the poorer relations of cycling for sure but understandable when you take subscription prices into account.
Ability to program training runs like you can program biking
This was included in the list Wendy. It is possible to do, you just need to create the workout elsewhere and then import it into Zwift.
Many do this.
I bike and run…. part of the fun on the bike are the new roads that appear semi-regularly. I get bored riding the same old same old. New bike routes incorporate these, but the run routes don’t always, or not easily. Given where the new roads are in relation to existing start points for running it can be a looooong run to get to those new roads.
So adapt the run routes to be able to get to the new roads more easily.
And bring back racing. around 2021-22 there were a lot more races than I’ve seen lately. Setting a race as a goal helps keep that training motivation going.
Yep, more variation of spawn points would be good. It used to be easier when you could select to join any Zwifter and therefore just get dumped wherever they are. It’s still possible but only for those you follow.
Pretend you are going to start a ride, teleport to any of the robopacers then go and Pair and select run.
Thank you Stuart! I’ll look into figuring that out… I like the training program but sometimes I skip cool down and warm up or shorten break intervals to hit my goals, so instead of three blocks of over unders I do 15 without the breaks in between making them blocks, having it programmed would help!!! Thank you
Power based robopacers with route auto-incline, is the only thing that zwift run needs to go to the next level. I’ve said this a couple of times on zwift foruns, I don’t get why this idea doesn’t get support from the community.
Definitely more routes that are “finishable” during a normal training effort. 4-7 mile routes ideally…not all of us can run 6 minute miles to do those courses that are 10+ miles long!
Zwift should bring back the monthly race series. Seems like one of the easiest fixes and improvements they could do. Rotate it between 1 mile, 5k, 8k and 10k. Rinse and repeat.
I run and ride on Zwift so I would prefer not to pay extra: I’m already paying and the combined benefit is the main reason I choose Zwift.
i like the running plans. I find them very motivating. I generally race either 5 km or 10 km distances. I would really like the option within the plans to do them at my own pace, not on a set schedule. Because I like to ride and run and on alternate days,
If for instances I choose the 10 km running plan it may have me running 5 times in a week which then forces me to either skip 2 runs or skip 2 rides. I’ve tried riding and running on the same day but if I do this too often and the workouts are both demanding, I’m overtraining and developing injuries.
Also I’d love to see more intermediate and advanced running plans. A request for future development.
Thanks for listening,
Louise
The Cycling version of the Tour of Watopia allows an “anytime” start in addition to organized event start times. Why doesn’t Zwift running allow that? I’m a triathlete and enjoy both cycling *and* running in zwift, but I feel like the ugly step child when lacing up my running shoes. Parity, please!
Nor can we track progress on the companion app or home screen dashboard.
After leading runs with Epic Run Club several times a week for the last couple years, the continued request I see is the desire to chat between members of the group regardless of distance. Zwift running has changed many of us, and chatting helps make the miles and time disappear. It provides personal involvement and camradery that I believe encourages runners to return to the next group run. This simple change of expanding running group chat range I believe would further Zwift platform engagment and help it as industry leading platform.
I would like runs to be recognised on the fitness tracker. I would like run workouts to be controlled by the kickr run and as has already been said – more routes and badges
I would like to see rubber banding offered for group runs. I understand that running is more of a solitary sport, but I think groups would also form if they knew they would stay together. I wanted to start a weekly jogging session built around the Japanese Slow Jogging technique. I think slow joggers or runners would join that kind of group and would enjoy it more. Not all of us are training to set a PR in the next Boston Marathon. Some of us just want a 30-60 minute jog with our friends.
This has been tops on my wish list since I started running on Zwift years ago. Its a no brainer and I dont understand why this isnt an option for group runs. I run slow due to all my injuries over the years. I dont do group runs anymore because im running by myself most of the time, I might as well be free running.