The Voices Behind the Runner: Testing Back My Run

Back My Run brings messages from friends and family into a run, playing them automatically as you move. I tried it for myself to see whether hearing familiar voices could change the experience of a run.

Back My Run gave me a complimentary subscription so I could test the app and share feedback. That arrangement is separate from this review, which reflects my own experience.

Running can be a solitary sport. Even when you train with a group, there are moments when it comes down to you, the road and the next few kilometres.

Back My Run offers a way for other people to be part of those moments. Friends and family record voice notes for you, then the app plays them automatically as you run.

The cold autumn breeze swept across the park, as the waking sun remained shrouded behind the morning clouds. I was on my easy run before school, a Monday morning, where all I wanted to do was crawl back into bed, yet training had to get done and better to have it completed before school. However, this morning run was different, unique even, as unlike my ordinary easy runs, where I just listen to music and let my mind wander, I had Back My Run with me. Yes, an app where you can get loved ones and friends to record voice notes for you, which then automatically play to you when you hit specific distances in your run. For me this was a short and sweet message from my girlfriend and from my best mates, which I loved. Being made to smile and focus on them for a brief period on a solo cold early morning September run was amazing and honestly it surprised me. The simple yet warming voice notes made the run all that much better and I was now looking forward to my next run where I could listen to more recordings.

I have been testing the app with messages from friends and family, and I have really liked it. There is something different about hearing a familiar voice while you are moving. It turns the people supporting you into part of the run.

How it works

The set up is straightforward. You create a race (can be used as a session) in the app and share a link with the people you want to hear from. They can record a message through their phone browser, without downloading the app or creating an account. During the run, the app uses your phone's GPS to trigger messages at milestones. It can lower your music while a message plays, then bring the volume back afterwards.

The simplicity is central to the product. You do not have to stop, find a message and press play. You can keep running while the app delivers the messages for you.

As someone who isn't the most tech savvy I found it surprisingly easy to navigate the app and set up the recordings. Currently, the set up is that you add your race, or you can use it for just a training session as I was. The founder, Daniel Moores is working on updating this so that you can have a specific session option. Then you just send the link to whoever you want to record a message. You can have multiple messages in a run, one every kilometre. The GPS tracking is mostly accurate, although you may find a slight variation from the distance your Garmin tracks, but this does not affect the function or performance of the app as a whole. However, one point to consider is that you must have your phone on you for the voice notes to play. Right now there is no watch integration that allows you to play the voice notes from your Apple or Garmin watches.

Back My Run can be used for a variety of distances, from a 5K to a marathon. Its website currently offers a free 5K, with paid options for longer races and an unlimited subscription. Also important to note that supporters can record messages for free. The app is available on iOS and Android.

A personal idea becomes a product

When I spoke to Daniel Moores in September, Back My Run had launched just over a month earlier. He told me the idea for Back My Run came to him after completing the 2024 Abu Dhabi Marathon in memory of his late grandparents. During a gruelling training run, he found himself longing to hear their voices, offering encouragement when he needed it most. That deeply personal moment sparked the idea for Back My Run, an app designed to bring the voices of loved ones to runners when it matters most.

He described it as a bootstrapped project. At the time of our conversation, he estimated he had spent around $3,000 to $4,000 building it. He said the app had reached about 180 users, and that his first race partnership in Belgium was due to take place the following weekend. Now Back My Run has reached 1,000 users.

Moores was also open about the challenges of building a new product. He said he wanted more feedback from runners, and that some larger race organisers were interested but wanted to see evidence from previous events before becoming early adopters.

The partnership model matters because Back My Run is not only aimed at individual runners. Moores described working with organisers and sponsors who could fund access for runners or offer it as part of an event. The hope is that the app can become an extra way for organisers to support participants, while keeping the experience personal.

Final thoughts

Back My Run does not change the training itself. What it changes is how a run can feel. A message from someone close to you can make the miles feel less solitary, and the automatic playback means you can hear it without interrupting your stride.

Overall, Back My Run offered an enjoyable and unprecedented experience for me. What really impressed me was how easy it was to set up, share with others, receive recordings and then have those recordings play whilst running with my phone not even logged into the app. However, as an elite level runner, where most of my races prohibit bringing your phone on the race, it is difficult to say it is a must have for all runners at the moment. Although with the potential for Back My Run to have the options of collecting voice notes in a catalogue for warm ups and pre race motivation, I believe this could make Back My Run much more valuable for all runners.

There are a few practical components to check before using. The app relies on your phone for location tracking, so you need to carry it and allow the required location and background permissions. Back My Run's help centre recommends downloading the messages and testing the audio before race day. It says the app can then work without an internet connection during the run.

For runners who want their supporters to feel part of a race or training run, Back My Run is a clever idea that I've really enjoyed testing. Its best feature is also its simplest: it lets you hear from the people you love while you keep moving.