Strava & Wearable Sync
Some Racery races support automatic activity import from wearable fitness devices via Strava. This guide explains how the integration works, which devices are supported, and how to troubleshoot common issues.
Overview
Racery uses Strava as a bridge to connect with wearable devices. Rather than syncing directly with Fitbit, Garmin, or Apple Watch, your device syncs to Strava, and Strava sends the data to Racery.
Strava integration is available on a per-race basis at the discretion of the race sponsor. Not all races have it enabled.
Connecting Strava (4 Steps)
Strava acts as the hub between your wearable device and Racery. Follow these four steps to set up automatic activity import:
- Create a Strava account at
strava.com(free tier is sufficient) - Link your wearable to Strava — connect your Garmin, Fitbit, or Apple Watch to your Strava account through the Strava app or device settings
- Connect Racery to Strava — go to your Racery settings page (
racery.com/<nickname>/settings) and click the orange Strava connect button to authorize Racery - Activities auto-log — once connected, activities recorded on your wearable flow through Strava to Racery automatically
Supported Devices
Any device that syncs to Strava can feed data into Racery. Common devices include:
| Device | Syncs via Strava |
|---|---|
| Garmin watches | Yes — native Strava integration |
| Apple Watch / iWatch | Yes — via Strava app on iPhone |
| Fitbit | Yes — via third-party sync apps |
| Other GPS watches | Varies — check Strava’s partner list |
What Gets Imported
Racery imports and converts the following activity types from Strava:
| Activity | How It Converts |
|---|---|
| Running | Miles register directly as race miles |
| Trail Running | Miles register directly as race miles |
| Walking | Miles register directly as race miles |
| Cycling | Minutes converted to race miles |
| Swimming | Minutes converted to race miles |
No other Strava activity types transfer automatically. You can still log those activities manually on Racery, which supports 80+ activity types with automatic conversion to race miles.
Troubleshooting Sync
If your Strava activities aren’t showing up in Racery, check these common issues:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Account not connected | Check Settings → verify Strava is linked |
| Activity privacy too restrictive | Set Strava activity to “Followers” or “Everyone” |
| Activity logged before connection | Only post-connection activities sync; backdate manually for earlier ones |
| Unsupported activity type | Only running, trail running, walking, cycling, and swimming are imported |
| Race doesn’t support Strava | Integration is per-race; check with your race sponsor |
| Connected to wrong Strava account | If your wearable syncs to a different Strava account than the one linked to Racery, activities won’t appear. Check your Racery settings page to verify which Strava account is connected. Contact team@racery.com if you need to reconnect. |
Step Logging & Daily Steps
To keep the playing field level, Racery recommends logging only intentional exercise — periods when you go out of your way to be active — rather than all your daily steps.
Each race has its own rules about step counting. Check your race’s About section for specific guidelines.
Manual vs. Automatic Logging
Even in races with Strava enabled, you can always log activities manually. In fact, there are some advantages to manual logging:
- Log any of Racery’s 80+ activity types (not just the 5 Strava imports)
- Add comments, hashtags, and photos to your logs
- Research shows manual logging boosts motivation and habit formation
Be careful not to double-log — if Strava is importing your run automatically, don’t also log it manually.
Contact support if you have questions.