If it’s not on Strava, it didn’t happen. That’s the app’s unwritten rule, and someone decided to turn it into a business.
They’re called “Strava mules”: high-level runners who charge to complete workouts using someone else’s personal account. The client doesn’t have time, is injured, or simply wants to appear to perform at a level they don’t. The result: advanced metrics and virtual certificates without taking a single step.
The service is already circulating on Instagram and X, and rates depend on the distance, the required pace, and how difficult the route is. They range from one euro per kilometer to custom jobs costing more than 200 pounds for completing a marathon distance.
But there’s a problem: Strava reminds users that credentials are strictly personal and non-transferable. Falsifying identities or sharing accounts can result in immediate suspension, to protect the legitimate efforts of other athletes.