Unlock badges without checking in

Sep 23rd

We love when people tweet about dragging themselves to the gym to earn the Gym Rat badge, or about trying a new restaurant hoping to unlock the Pizzaiolo badge. Encouraging real-world actions is a big part of the mission behind foursquare. We’re also aware that some of those behaviors don’t necessarily involve a check-in, which is why today we’re excited to introduce the first badge you unlock by doing something, not just checking in. Say hello to our first badge partner: a little company called RunKeeper.

Here’s how it’ll work: users of RunKeeper, an application that helps you track your fitness routines, can now earn RunKeeper-exclusive badges on foursquare by achieving different milestones within their app. For instance, if you run a marathon using RunKeeper, you’ll unlock their Marathon badge. Once you unlock a badge, it will show up on both your RunKeeper profile and with your other badges in foursquare.

We’ve long been fans of what Michael, Jason, and the rest of the RunKeeper team are doing to innovate in the fitness space and feel strongly that they’re driven by the same ethos that motivates foursquare: leveraging technology to help people live better, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.

To continue promoting this behavior, we’re going to develop more of these badges unlocked by real-world experiences with a handful of carefully selected partners, a few more of which will be announced soon.

If you’ve got a cool idea about using your app for a third-party badge, let us know. We look forward to the day when looking at your foursquare badges reminds you of all your proudest life accomplishments. So get off your computer and get running!

Posted in Foursquare

42 Comments

  • http://twitter.com/tijmz tijmz

    See if you can connect to these guys: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73nmivqtHQw

    It’s only for the Netherlands, but other countries may have similar projects to improve communities.

  • Reiniervanvliet

    Agree with Paul! I really prefer Endomondo! And please also reward when running only say 5, 10, 20km. Complete Marathon is far too much for me :-)

  • http://foursquaretips.blogspot.com/ Robert Latchford

    BarclaysBikes or BorisBikes as they are known in London would be a clever tie in. Will drop a more detailed note later – there is an exisiting app and there have been 500k plus journeys in London already since their launch earlier in the Summer

  • Jessemerced

    iI love @foursquare I’m addicted. Now I need more badges.

  • http://twitter.com/javatyger Lonnie Hill

    I love how BlackBerry users always seem to get screwed around when it comes to Foursquare updates and badges, promotions, etc.

  • http://twitter.com/backeis Erik

    I definitely have to try this out! One more reason to start running again…

  • http://twitter.com/tsvtrainer Dave Hampton

    Intend taking RK on my iPhone 3Gs (and Mophie Juice Air pack) along to the Melbourne marathon Sun 10/10. Should last the distance (5 hrs ish) no problem

  • Fajaragviola

    you mbut you …

  • Michel H

    Awesome idea! I’ve been using RunKeeper, and this is certainly an extra fun way to motivate people.

    “For instance, if you run a marathon using RunKeeper, you’ll unlock their Marathon badge.”

    As a colleague of mine just suggested, I hope you also introduce the Cheater badge, if for instance someone “runs” a marathon faster than, say, 25 km/h (world record speed is apx. 20 km/h).

  • Abadi Firman

    keren

  • Bart

    Quite true… Just came back from my run around the neighborhood… ofcourse did my routine checkins… ;-)

  • http://twitter.com/PEKCommando John Schaffer

    Dunkin Donuts and Wawa partnerships! How about a badge for going to professional sports stadiums? Partnership with a hotel chain like Holiday Inn?

  • http://twitter.com/PEKCommando John Schaffer

    Partnerships with Dunkin Donuts, Wawa, Holiday Inn? Badges for attending professional sports events? Concert Venues?

  • Swisspancakes

    Bike Badges!! Come on!

  • Arieoriezta

    my home

  • Anonymous

    what about it?

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    You guys are great. Quite true..Thanks

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    yeah cool!Quite true…Awesome idea!

  • Phil

    I have over a year’s worth of bike and run tracks on trailguru.com. That app works fine on my iphone, but the RunKeeper one is rated poorly because it’s GPS doesn’t work. Can you just link with trailguru so I don’t have to move?

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    you can link to foursquare in your RunKeeper app settings now! see their blog post, linked above

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    I love how BlackBerry users always seem to get screwed around when it comes to Foursquare updates and badges, promotions, etc.

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    Awesome. thanks.

  • http://twitter.com/mellijellybean M. Hostutler

    It took about 3 different activities (running) to earn a warm up badge. After about 4 or so 5K + distances in running, I finally earned a 5K badge yesterday. It works…but you don’t earn a badge right away. I love earning Foursquare running badges!

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    I think you should partner with SportyPal!

  • Mike Dragon

    Green Dragon says, “Use it or lose it!” Thanks foursquare for the added incentive. Mom would be proud!

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    Encouraging real-world actions is a big part of the mission behind foursquare.

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    Thanks for giving me a break from work!

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    Thanks for giving me a break from work!

  • Sherrieboberrie

    I wish you could have RK app running in the background & still be on FourSquare so you can still check in along the way when I’m on my walk. Once I come out of the app to take a call or do a text msg, the RK app pauses. At least, example: Waze app keeps running even if I take a call.

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  • Anita

    Idk, but I think unless ur BB develops a phone that detects movement (not by way of GPS) you won’t get it, because someone could just jump in their car to get the badge.
    P.S. Nike already has a work out app for the iPhone.

  • Hmatkinson

    Roadtrip badge!

  • foad999
  • Shipy_kosova

    There should definitely be a badge for going to a different country. I went to Europe a few months ago and I was pretty sad that there were no badges for that.

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