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Recommended Marathon Running Watches

Jewellery & Watch News

Running a marathon remains the classic test for any runner, whether it’s the full stint at 26.2 miles or half of that, any variation takes a lot of hard training and can become one of life’s most memorable experiences. And if you ask any fully fledged runner what they recommend to get you started, they’ll tell you that a well-equipped running smartwatch can become your greatest companion on the road.

While the coronavirus pandemic has affected many marathons around the world, there are still several incredible virtual marathons to get involved with this year and the London 2020 marathon is still taking place, just later in October. So no matter whether you are an expert runner looking for a new running watch to keep you going or a complete beginner searching for the motivation to get started, let us help you make the first steps in launching your unforgettable marathon journey.

Running watches are plentiful, so to make things easier, we will be exploring our top 5 recommended marathon running watches that will provide with all the functionality you need for training and running on the day. We have included high-end options for those with more to spend and some affordable running watches for those on a budget. All the marathon running watches mentioned below can be found on C W Sellors website where you view the full list of specifications in more detail and order them with interest free finance and free delivery options available.

1. Garmin MARQ Athlete

In first place is the extraordinary Garmin MARQ Athlete smartwatch. We could not leave this watch out of top place; it is a high-end wearable specifically designed for athletes including runners, cyclists and swimmers and is equipped with all of Garmin’s most advanced technology. The advanced training metrics include running dynamics, heat and altitude adjusted VO2 max, recovery advisor and more while the integrated maps and Trendline popularity routing make finding your next running route even easier.

The Garmin MARQ Athlete is one of the first to feature the new PacePro function, something that many runners will benefit from. The remarkable technology allows users to enter custom start and finish points and a target competition times and tell you exactly how fast you should be aiming to run to complete each mile and reach your goal. The feature even takes into account hills and slopes! The watch also boasts a Pulse Ox sensor, wrist based heart rate monitor that works underwater, ABC sensors, multi GNSS systems, respiration and hydration tracking and a battery life of up to 12 days.

Learn more about the Garmin MARQ Athlete

2. Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Solar

Next up is the Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Solar, a fairly new addition to the Garmin collections and one perfectly timed for joining you on your marathon adventures. The key feature with this watch is its remarkable solar capability, something that an outdoor runner will really benefit from. It works by using a very thin 1mm wide strip just on the inside of the bezel which absorbs energy from the sun and converts it into battery life. The default dial displays a sun icon with a total of 10 rays around its circumference with each ray indicating 10% of intensity so you can see how intense the sun is where you are. Its solar technology means you can gain up to 16 days of battery life.

Some of its targeted features for runners include the PacePro feature, a wrist based heart rate monitor, Pulse Ox sensor, advanced performance metrics and multi GNSS support. You can also get a fantastic selection of preloaded activity profiles with many targeted towards different styles of running including road running, trail running and treadmill running. The unique Body Battery Energy Monitor is also incredibly useful for those of us that sometimes don’t know when our bodies need a break. It works by using heart rate variability, stress, sleep and other data to gauge when you’re ready to be active or when you may need to rest.

Learn more about the Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Solar

3. Garmin Forerunner 245 Music

The Garmin Forerunner 245 Music is a fantastic marathon running watch for those working with a budget. Its compact, lightweight, looks great and remains packed with some of the brand’s best features for runners.  It still boasts a wrist based heart rate monitor (but not one that works underwater), a Pulse Ox sensor, built in GPS so you can track where you run, get accurate stats, including distance, pace and intervals and running dynamics when used with a compatible accessory.

Similarly, to the PacePro feature, just slightly less advanced, the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music comes with its own Garmin Coach with provides you with adaptive training plans and guidance from expert coaches and free training plans that adapt to you and your goals. This feature is perfect for those just getting started with running and searching for advice on where to begin. For those that love listening to music while training, you can sync your playlists from select music streaming services right to your watch and store up to 500 songs.

Learn more about the Garmin Forerunner 245 Music

4. Suunto 9 Baro

We’re taking a step back from Garmin for a moment and putting the spotlight on Suunto, another fantastic fitness watch brand that has some impressive running watches suitable for training and running the marathon. The Suunto 9 Baro watch is our top choice for many reasons, one being its battery life which lasts up to 14 days in standard mode and from 25 hours to up to 120 hours of recording time with GPS tracking on.

The Suunto 9 Baro also uses smart reminders based on your activity history so you can be prepared and fully charged for your next outing. If the watch notices you are running low on battery during an exercise, it will automatically suggest changing to a different battery mode. The watch also features over 80 sport modes for different types of training, a wrist based heart rate monitor, 100 metre water resistance, barometer, weather functions and GPS navigation.

Learn more about the Suntto 9 Baro

5. Garmin Vivomove Luxe

Another fantastic marathon running watch for those on a budget, the Garmin Vivomove Luxe is ideal for someone just getting into the sport and in need of a wearable that can go effortlessly from a morning out on the trail to a day at the office. It showcases an elegant hybrid design that combines the traditional look of an analog watch but with smart features you can count on for getting you through the day and keeping up with your fitness routine.

The Garmin Vivomove Luxe has a wrist based heart rate monitor, Body Battery Energy monitor, stress, hydration and menstrual tracking, advanced sleep monitoring and preloaded sports apps for yoga, strength, cardio, pool swimming and more. It also showcases connected GPS so you can connect your watch to your compatible smartphone's GPS to get accurate tracking during outdoor walks, rides and runs and advanced fitness tracking so you can monitor your step count, floors climbed and intensity minutes.

Learn more about the Garmin Vivomove Luxe

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