Friend-a-thon
Friends cheer you on each mile
About
Enhance your running experience with personalized voice cheers from friends and family. This app automatically plays pre-recorded messages at each mile marker during your race, turning your loved ones into your personal cheering squad. It integrates with iMessage and uses GPS for seamless mile detection.
What's New in Friend
1.1.1
August 2, 2026
Just press start. - New Start Run button right on the home screen. Tap it and your friends' cheers play at every mile — anywhere, any day. No race date, no start line, no waiting. - The home screen now shows which race is queued up and how many cheers are ready to play. - Removed the Apple Health and always-on location permissions. Friend-a-Thon no longer needs either one. - Fixed a bug where cheers could stay silent if the race they belonged to had been changed or removed.
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FAQ
How does Friend-a-thon work?
Friend-a-thon allows your friends and family to record personalized voice cheers. These cheers are then automatically played at each mile marker during your race, enhancing your running experience.
Can friends record cheers without downloading Friend-a-thon?
Yes, friends can record cheers directly through iMessage. They simply tap the chat bubble, and the app guides them through recording their message without needing to download Friend-a-thon themselves.
How are cheers triggered during a race?
The app uses GPS and Apple Health tracking to automatically detect when you hit each mile marker. This ensures that your personalized cheers play at the precise moment you reach them.
Can I customize when my cheers play?
Yes, you have the option to assign specific cheers to particular miles, or you can let them shuffle randomly throughout your race. This allows for a personalized and dynamic cheering experience.
What devices does Friend-a-thon support?
Friend-a-thon is available on iPhone and iPad, making it accessible for a wide range of Apple users. It also works seamlessly with AirPods and other Bluetooth headphones.
Is Friend-a-thon suitable for all race distances?
Yes, Friend-a-thon supports various race distances including 5K, 10K, half marathons, marathons, and custom distances. You can also find real races through RunSignup or create your own event.
How is my privacy protected with Friend-a-thon?
Friend-a-thon includes a Face ID lock feature to keep your app private. This ensures that your personal race data and cheer recordings are secure.
What is the update frequency for Friend-a-thon?
The latest version of Friend-a-thon is 1.1.0, which was last updated on July 23, 2026. This indicates active development and support for the application.