Running a marathon is hard enough without gadgets slowing us down. That’s where smartwatches come in. These little wrist gadgets do way more than count steps—they track our miles, monitor our heart rates, and sometimes, if we’re lucky, help us find a pizza place at mile 20.
Smartwatches for marathon runners are a very specific breed. They have to handle sweat, survive wild weather, and last longer than our phone batteries on those endless training days.
GPS accuracy, battery life, comfort, and detailed running metrics matter a whole lot more than a bunch of cute watch faces. Trust us, nobody wants their watch to die halfway through a marathon.
When we’re picking a watch, we run into a few marathon-sized questions. Is it light enough so our arms don’t cramp before our legs? Do the buttons work when our hands are sweaty or gloved? Can the screen survive a tumble? Most importantly, will it still be ticking at the finish line—or are we just hoping for the best?
We put in the miles, both running and researching, to find smartwatches that can actually keep up with marathon runners.
Best Smartwatches for Marathon Runners
Let’s be honest, running a marathon is tough enough without guessing your pace or wondering if your heart’s still beating. We found the best smartwatches to help keep track of every sweaty, glorious mile.
“Morning report” can feel like a nosy coach at breakfast
Sometimes we need a little extra nudge to get out the door for those long training runs. The Forerunner 165 helps by popping up personalized workouts and training plans, so we never have to wonder, “What should I do today?”
The AMOLED screen honestly makes pacing more fun. We’re not ashamed to admit we like glancing at those vibrant stats even more than our race medals.
Menus are simple to navigate, about as easy as grabbing our favorite running shoes. Alerts pop up fast if someone needs us—or if pizza’s ready. We love not having to charge it every night. The battery stuck with us through several long runs, and we made it through 11 days without hunting for a charger.
The health insights help, but sometimes feel a bit like a wellness teacher who’s way too interested in our sleep. Not every stat is perfect (especially heart rate on bumpy trails), but it still beats scribbling notes on our hands. It’s a good mix of guidance, gadget, and “hey, I’ve got this.”
If we want a reliable running watch that doesn’t need a PhD to use, the Forerunner 55 could be our new running buddy.
Pros
Battery life outlasts some of our long runs (and naps)
Tracks workouts with spooky-level accuracy
Lightweight—no brick-on-the-wrist feeling
Cons
Screen looks a bit old-school next to fancier models
Small display isn’t great if we forgot our reading glasses
Customizations need us to mess with extra apps
Setting up the Garmin Forerunner 55 felt like adopting a low-maintenance pet that actually helps us get moving. We got GPS stats, daily workout suggestions, and heart rate tracking with just a few button presses.
During marathon training, this thing stuck with us. We didn’t worry about battery life, finishing back-to-back sessions on one charge. The lightweight feel made it easy to forget we were even wearing it, until it vibrated to remind us, “Hey, you can go faster!”
Customizing watch faces and dashboards takes some patience, and the display won’t win beauty contests. If you have bigger wrists or trouble seeing tiny numbers, the small screen might not thrill you. But when we’re pounding the pavement, the Forerunner 55 gives us what we need—without making things complicated.
If we’re serious about marathons and want a watch that won’t quit halfway through a long run, this is the one we’d pick.
Pros
GPS is spot-on—even if we get lost
Battery outlasts our most stubborn playlists, so no mid-run panics
Light and comfortable, sometimes we forget it’s there (except when it buzzes us to get moving)
Cons
Some of the best metrics need accessories we have to buy separately
The non-touch screen feels a bit old-school
Customization menus can take a bit of poking around
Running with the Forerunner 255 feels like having a supportive coach—one who never yells and tracks split times like a pro. Daily workout suggestions keep us from heading out clueless, and morning reports have become part of our routine.
We took it out in bright sunlight and gloomy afternoons, and the display stayed readable. Training features are thorough, and it tracks every stat from heart rate variability to pace. Unlocking extra geeky stats means buying extra sensors, which our wallets don’t love.
Contactless payments are a lifesaver when we need post-run coffee. Even with heavy use, charging rarely crosses our minds. The menus aren’t super intuitive, so we’ve done some menu tap-dancing, but it gets easier. For anyone serious about marathon training who doesn’t want battery or GPS drama, the Forerunner 255 is a reliable (sometimes opinionated) partner.
If we want our marathon game strong, this watch keeps us honest, on time, and (mostly) awake for sunrise runs.
Pros
Super bright display that even squinting can’t ruin
Battery lasts so long we forget where the charger is
Training insights that actually help, not just fancy charts
Cons
A bit pricey for bargain lovers
Touchscreen can be quirky with sweaty hands
Setting up all the tracking features takes patience
Some days, we need a techy companion to guilt us into that long training run. With the Garmin Forerunner 965, it feels like we finally have a coach, cheerleader, and nagging parent all strapped to our wrist.
The screen is so bright, it could double as a mini flashlight for evening jogs. Navigating maps is actually fun (until we realize we still can’t escape that one brutal hill).
One of our favorite things is forgetting when we last charged it—seriously, the battery life is that impressive. It watches our sleep (in a friendly, non-creepy way), reminds us if we’re pushing too hard, and delivers a morning report that sometimes tells us we’re superheroes… and sometimes tells us to go back to bed.
Those daily workout suggestions are like having a coach yell at us, but way less sweaty. It isn’t perfect; poking at the screen with post-run fingers takes some finger gymnastics, and dialing in all the settings took a few tries. Still, for runners who want detailed metrics and reliable GPS, this smartwatch helps us train smarter—and gives us one less excuse to skip that next marathon.
If we want a no-nonsense running watch that won’t weigh us down or require an engineering degree, the Garmin Forerunner 55 fits the bill.
Pros
Super lightweight, barely noticeable on long runs
Training suggestions that actually make sense (and don’t yell at us)
Reliable GPS that doesn’t leave us lost in the woods
Cons
Plain plastic design isn’t winning any style contests
Screen feels small if you’re used to bigger smartwatches
Not the fastest menu navigation—we’ve had more thrilling snail races
On our first marathon training session with the Forerunner 55, we noticed the feather-light feel right away. It doesn’t distract or tug on the wrist, which is more than we can say for some of our old “smart” bricks.
The daily workout suggestions are solid and easy to follow, so even when our brains checked out, the watch kept us moving. GPS accuracy is genuinely a relief, especially on routes that would confuse even a homing pigeon.
Checking stats mid-run is easy, thanks to the crisp display, though we did have to squint a bit—bigger screens do spoil us. The included training plans help with race prep, saving us from hunting down a coach or relying on sketchy internet tips.
If you love a stylish gadget, we’ll admit the black plastic look of the Forerunner 55 isn’t going to set fashion trends. But what it lacks in looks, it makes up for in reliability and comfort. For runners who want a practical tool instead of a flashy accessory, this watch delivers. We’d trust it for marathon day, and for those “just a quick run” mornings that turn into half-day adventures.
If you want to train smart—and avoid getting lost in the park or hunting for a charger at mile 22—this watch is a pretty solid pick.
Pros
Sharp, colorful display actually wakes us up before our 5 AM alarm.
Battery life laughs in the face of a busy race week.
Training readiness feature helps us know when to skip (or not skip) our post-run donuts.
Cons
Getting used to both buttons and touchscreen can make us look like we’re trying to crack a secret code.
Watch is lightweight but not exactly “invisible” on smaller wrists.
Loads of features = occasional menu maze navigation.
We slapped this watch on and the bright AMOLED screen made us feel like we’d stepped into the future. It’s a real upgrade from those old “squint and guess” displays.
The buttons and touchscreen combo took a few runs to master. Once we stopped pressing things at random, everything felt smoother.
When planning races, the personalized daily workouts and race widget almost felt like cheating—in a good way. The training readiness feature came in clutch for those mornings when we secretly hoped for a scientific excuse to skip speed work.
Battery life? It just keeps going, kind of like us after our third cup of coffee.
With all the health insights popping up, we sometimes spent longer analyzing data than actually running. If you want a watch that covers running, swimming, cycling, and maybe the occasional donut dash, the Forerunner 265 really does a bit of everything.
If you want a feature-rich watch that won’t die halfway through a marathon (or a Netflix binge), this one’s honestly a top pick.
Pros
Battery can outlast our longest weekend runs.
On-wrist maps keep us from making new personal records in getting lost.
Heart rate tracking feels as accurate as our excuses for skipping sprints.
Cons
The voice control says “Zepp Flow,” but sometimes it’s more like “Zepp Riddle-Me-This.”
Not a household name like Garmin, so expect questions at group runs.
Button layout takes some getting used to if we’re all thumbs.
Right away, we loved that this thing looks at home in both the gym and at a fancy dinner. The bright display is easy to read—even when the sun tries to blind us mid-race.
After clicking around, setup felt simple enough, though we somehow pressed every button except the right one the first time.
When marathon training got serious, tracking every run, sleep, and snack actually mattered. The BioTracker handled our uneven heart rates and weird sleep schedules better than our own parents.
There are enough sport modes here to cover everything from sprints to slow walks (that may or may not count as cool downs).
Our favorite part: we made it a whole week without charging. The maps with turn-by-turn directions made sure we didn’t wander into the next county, and every notification came through loud and clear.
Would we trade it for a big-name watch? Nope. We’ll keep those extra bucks for post-run snacks instead.
If you want a no-fuss smartwatch that tracks a marathoner’s needs (and occasionally lets us pretend we’re secret agents with wrist calls), this one’s a strong contender—quirks and all.
Pros
Swapping out bands is easier than changing socks before a long run.
Battery lasts so long we might forget where we left the charger.
Tracks enough sports to confuse even the most dedicated multi-tasker.
Cons
No built-in GPS unless our phone tags along.
Health data accuracy can wander off if we’re moving fast.
Too many features can make setup feel like solving a Rubik’s cube.
The Sanorum Smartwatch impressed us right away with how comfortable and light it feels during long training sessions. We barely noticed it on our wrist (unlike the alarmingly loud shorts some of us favor).
It kept up with our heart rate, steps, and even our questionable sleep habits—no judgment, just data. Battery life stands out here.
Not plugging it in every night is a small victory for our lazy selves. We do wish it had standalone GPS, though.
Tethering it to our phone for accurate route tracking was a bit of a letdown, especially when we wanted to leave the phone at home and run wild. Changing bands for the right vibe—nylon for speed, silicone for sweat, and sport for style—became an unexpected joy.
Yet, keeping track of all the extras could be a full-time sport in itself. Notifications, voice assistant, health tracking, and even games? It’s got almost everything except the kitchen sink, so be prepared to poke through menus before hitting your stride.
If you want to finish a marathon and still have enough energy to brag about it, the Garmin vívoactive 5 can actually keep up with you.
Pros
Long battery life keeps us charged during marathon training.
Super accurate fitness and sleep tracking makes us feel like data wizards.
AMOLED screen is so bright we might need shades.
Cons
Not the most stylish watch at the finish line party.
Some smart features feel more like student beta projects.
Music transfers can be a test of our patience.
We strapped on the vívoactive 5 and it felt like having a personal coach, sleep scientist, and hype squad all on our wrist. The bright display didn’t just help us see our pace in direct sunlight; honestly, it was almost too clear to ignore the slow miles.
Tracking our long runs, cross-training, and even those post-run naps became almost addicting. The Body Battery feature actually convinced us not to run ourselves into exhaustion for once.
We’re still not sure how it knows we’re tired, but it’s usually right—maybe even more than our moms. We didn’t love fiddling through menus just to upload a playlist, but once we got it going, leaving the phone at home for long runs felt like a win.
If you care about looking like a top influencer, you might pick another watch. For clocking miles and staying healthy, though, the vívoactive 5 packs the features runners really need.
If you’re looking to channel your inner marathon master, this watch is basically your new coach, cheerleader, and overly-enthusiastic trail guide—all on your wrist.
Pros
Excellent battery life means fewer charging sessions and more running.
Built-in flashlight is a lifesaver for early-morning or late-night runs.
Makes and takes calls so we can stay social even when we’re sweaty and exhausted.
Cons
The menus can be a bit confusing, especially when we’re hungry and tired.
Every now and then, it freezes up like a deer in headlights.
Not exactly the slimmest or lightest watch out there for tiny wrists.
Starting our marathon journey with the Garmin fēnix 8, we noticed right away how tough it feels. The big, bright AMOLED display lets us see our stats at a glance—even on those foggy mornings when our brains are still booting up.
That built-in flashlight comes in handy more often than we’d like to admit, lighting up the path and saving us from surprise mud puddles. We appreciated being able to answer calls or yell at our phone’s voice assistant without ever stopping to fish out our device.
Training insights, like stamina tracking and recovery reminders, saved us from our worst running decisions (because we all need a gentle reminder not to go too hard after pizza night). The round-trip routing takes the guesswork out of our long runs, plotting routes and getting us back without any accidental detours.
Not everything was perfect, though. We scratched our heads over the menu system until we got the hang of it, and occasionally the watch would freeze up, leaving us longing for those simpler stopwatch days.
That said, when our runs go from rain to sunshine and back again, the fēnix 8 keeps trucking. We just wish it trimmed a little weight, but maybe our wrists need the workout too.
Buying Guide
When we hunt for a smartwatch as marathon runners, we want more than just a flashy gadget on our wrists. Honestly, battery life matters most.
Our marathons drag on for hours, and training feels endless sometimes. No one wants their watch to die five miles before the finish line.
Let’s check out some key features and see why they actually matter:
Feature
Why It’s Important
Battery Life
Long races need long-lasting power
GPS Accuracy
Keeps us from running in mysterious circles
Water Resistance
For rainy races or sweaty adventures
Weight
Lighter means less arm flailing
Comfort
We don’t want wrist dents or numbing
Analytics
Helps us brag (or learn) with real data
Keep an eye on GPS quality. If your route map looks like a toddler’s drawing, that’s not exactly helpful.
A good watch gives us clear splits, pace, and heart rate—so we can tell if we’re actually moving or just shuffling along. Touchscreens seem cool until sweaty fingers get involved.
Sometimes, old-school buttons just work better in the middle of a race. It’s funny how the basics can save the day.
Don’t ignore comfort. If your strap pinches or rubs, you’ll regret it before the first water station.
A lightweight and soft band really does make a difference. Heavy watches? They’ll leave you with some weird tan lines, trust me.
Look for watches that can handle rain, sweat, and even a post-race shower. We need something that survives, even if we don’t win.
Hi, my name is Garrett Jones, and I am a tech enthusiast. I enjoy researching the new tech that has been released, and have a vast knowledge of the best tech to purchase.
From a young age, I have always had a big interest in technology, and this blog is an extension of that interest. Through this blog, I hope to provide others with all of the information they need regarding tech options to consider, and things such as compatibility. Some of the different items I will be discussing include headphones, smartwatches, and how to fix common issues.
