Unlock badges without checking in

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!