Train smarter for your next marathon with the right GPS running watch!

By Coach Chris Knighton

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Introduction – The Best Running Watches for Marathon Training and Racing

In this article, I will share with you the best running watch options for marathon training and racing.

Running is a sport that requires very few pieces of equipment. Well-fitting running shoes and a high-quality running watch make a huge difference. Your level of success in training and racing the marathon depend on them.

While there is a time and place for running without a watch, marathoners will wear one most of the time when they train and race.

In fact, getting my first GPS running watch was huge catalyst for me taking my running more seriously and becoming the athlete and coach I am today.

Advantages Marathon Runners Gain with GPS Watches

1. Accurately time splits on the track or over measured distances.
   
   
2. Keep track of how far, how fast, and or how long they have run.
   
   
3. Automatically log runs into a digital training log. These runs can be reviewed by the athlete and their coach (if they have one) after the run is completed.
   

No matter your experience level, all who aspire to run the marathon should have a running watch.

The list below includes our top picks for running watches for marathon training and racing.

Do You Need a GPS Watch for Marathon Training and Racing?

While a GPS Watch is not necessary for marathon training, there are several reasons why having one is highly beneficial. Wearing a GPS watch will support both your marathon training, and especially your marathon racing.

Marathon training is primarily focuses on improving your ability to run long distances at a strong pace. Marathon pace is not particularly fast, relative to the speed you could run for much shorter distances. But it is challenging. Marathon pace must be maintained for hours on end on marathon race day.

Training at and near marathon pace on long road runs is very helpful when marathon training. Wearing a GPS watch that gives you an accurate pace makes training at marathon pace very easy to do. A GPS watch will also ensure you run the correct pace during your marathon race itself.

A GPS watch can help prevent you from going both too fast and too slow for your current fitness level.

Another reason why wearing a GPS watch is so helpful for marathon training is because of its ability to measure distance. Many athletes will run further distances than ever before while marathon training. Seeing the number of miles or kilometers you’ve covered on your watch can be very satisfying.

By wearing a GPS watch you can ensure you’ve run a specific distance on your long runs and workouts. Without a GPS watch, you’ll have to guesstimate your distance and speed.

Are There Any Downsides to Using a GPS Watch?

The main downside to GPS Watches is that they can be stressful for some runners to use.

The data they provide can be a helpful tool, but it can also be a hindrance to teaching you the vital skill of “running by feel”.

While Non-GPS digital watches do have their place in run training, GPS watches are preferable for those training for longer distances like the half marathon and full marathon.

If you are concerned with your privacy with recording your runs on GPS, ensure you check your GPS app’s settings. Most GPS apps, such as Garmin Connect and Strava, have settings to keep data private. You can also limit sharing with select friends only.

While a GPS watch has many benefits for marathon runners, you may decide one is not right for you. In that case, there are great non-GPS digital watch options available.

I really like the Timex Ironman Classic Digital Watch for a non-GPS watch option. I have used this model extensively over the years.

Our Top 3 Picks: The Best GPS Running Watches for Marathon Training and Racing

Option #1
Most Affordable, Easy-to-Use GPS Running Watch

Are you looking for a basic GPS running watch that will display only the essentials like your distance, elapsed time, and pace?

If so, consider the Garmin Forerunner 45 GPS running watch.

The Forerunner 45 is one of Garmin’s simplest and easiest to use GPS running watch models, but it includes everything you need to train and race to perfection in your next marathon. In addition to distance, time, and pace, it can also monitor your heart rate, cadence, map out where you’ve run, and more.

Serious marathoners, will want a dedicated GPS watch that they wear just when they run, and Garmin makes some of the best and most trusted GPS running watches available. Garmin watches are designed specifically with runners in mind, which makes them easy to use and ideal for dedicated marathon runners.

What I like most about the Garmin Forerunner 45 is that it is small and light weight, making it perfect for running fast and racing. There are also minimal non-essential features to distract you from what’s most important when running.

The Garmin Forerunner 45 watch can be programmed with intervals or split manually, making it easy to run even the most complicated workouts. This GPS watch even has controls for music playing on your paired smart phone, so you can skip songs without missing a beat.

The Garmin Forerunner 45 is a great option for any new or ambitious marathon runner.

Click Here to Buy “Garmin Forerunner 45” on Amazon.com

Option #2:
Best All-Around GPS Running Watch

Want a bit more features than what come on the most basic of GPS running watches?

Consider the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music GPS Running Watch.

The Garmin 245 will help you take your running to the next level with built in training metrics and an integrated music player.

The Garmin Forerunner 245 is one of the most popular running watches of serious marathoners, and for good reason. It is a highly trusted and reliable GPS running watch that provides tremendous value. In addition to tracking your distance, time, and pace, it can monitor your heart rate, cadence, map out where you’ve run, and more.

Serious marathoners, will want a dedicated GPS watch that they wear just when they run, and Garmin makes some of the best and most trusted GPS running watches available. Garmin watches are designed specifically with runners in mind, which makes them easy to use and ideal for dedicated marathon runners.

Designed for runners, the Garmin 245 watch is small and light weight. It has advanced built in features like Garmin Coach’s adaptive training plans, Body Battery Energy Monitoring, Smart Notifications, and a built in music player that can sync with Spotify, Deezer, and Amazong Music Accounts.

This watch can be programmed with intervals or split manually, making it easy to run even the most complicated workouts.

The Garmin Forerunner 245 also has great battery life. You’ll get up to 7 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 24 hours in GPS mode.

The Forerunner 245 is a perfect choice to take your marathon running to the next level.

Click Here to Buy “Garmin Forerunner 245” on Amazon.com

Option #3:
Premium GPS Running Watch with Advanced Features

The Garmin Forerunner 265 is the perfect watch for the marathoner runner who wants the very best GPS watch to support their training.

The Forerunner 265 is a premium GPS running watch with an incredible screen and advanced metrics, insights, and music-capacity built in.

The Garmin 265 comes in a variety of colors and sizes, letting you find the perfect design for you.

The AMOLED display built into this watch is Garmin’s brightest display ever, allowing it to be read clearly on even the sunniest of days.

This watch has a built in touch screen display and a whopping 15 days of battery life in Smartwatch Mode.

In addition to tracking your distance, time, and pace, the Garmin Forerunner 265 can monitor your heart rate, cadence, map out where you’ve run, and more.

Dedicated marathoners, will want a runner-specific GPS watch that they wear just when they run, and Garmin makes some of the best and most trusted GPS running watches available. Garmin watches are designed specifically with runners in mind, which makes them easy to use and ideal for dedicated marathon runners.

Since it was made specifically for runners, the Garmin 265 watch is compact and light weight. It has advanced built in features like Morning Report, Race Day Insights, Daily Suggested Workouts, Training Readiness, and more. There’s also a built in music player that can download songs and playlists from Spotify, Deezer, or Amazon Music for phone-free listening

This watch can also be programmed with intervals or split manually, making it easy to run even the most complex workouts.

The Forerunner 265 is a great choice for those marathon runners desiring a premium GPS watch with the most advanced features.

Click Here to Buy “Garmin Forerunner 265” on Amazon.com

Watch This Video!

Learn How to Set Up Your GPS Running Watch Optimally for Marathon Training and Racing

Wrapping Up – The Best GPS Running Watches for Marathon Training and Racing

Wearing a running watch is a must for serious marathon runners while both training and racing.

Runners of all abilities and experience levels benefit tremendously from wearing a GPS Watch to track their running data while training for longer distances like the half marathon and marathon.

Wearing a GPS Watch ensures you do not start your runs too fast, and keeps you on pace to run to the best of your ability level.

If you don’t have a GPS running watch yet, get one! Getting a GPS watch made me become much more dedicated to my running, and I’m sure you will too!

The watches listed above include watches that I’ve personally used or have been recommended to me by my athletes as their favorite watch models that they’ve worn while marathon training and races.

All of these GPS watches come highly recommended by Coach Chris and Erica Knighton.

Good luck with your training and if you have any questions about how to best prepare for your next marathon, reach out any time about coaching or check out My Marathon Training Program.