Apple Watch : a new running ally

What if theApple Watch could accompany you daily during your running training? Long considered a lifestyle watch, it is proving to be increasingly suitable for practicing sports, particularly running. With interesting features and a design whose elegance is beyond reproach, the Apple Watch could easily become your next running ally. 

Among the different Apple Watch models, some prove to be particularly suited for sports practice, and more specifically for running. 

The Apple Watch SE (“Sport Edition”) is a good compromise between a “reasonable” price for an Apple-branded product and interesting features for running. 

GPS, heart rate sensor, water resistance... It offers the basics of a running watch with, on top, a lightweight and sleek design. However, it's difficult to make it your ally if you have a more advanced practice. It is especially suitable for beginners or those who wish to choose running for “leisure”, without necessarily needing a lot of health and performance data. 

With a well-crafted and sleek design, the Apple Watch Series 10 is also particularly lightweight thanks to the use of titanium which replaces traditional stainless steel. Enhancing the screen visibility is a significant advantage during interval training, when you need to check your pace and timer at a glance. 

Moreover, its 18-hour battery life in active use, though not exceptional, is more than sufficient for daily and intensive running practice (unless you are into ultra-trail). 

After all, who said that runners don't have a sense of style? For those who love to stand out and want to give their running accessories a stylish touch, the Apple Watch 10 offers a wide assortment of bands. So no, not related to performance, but why not combine the useful with the pleasant (and if you want to wear your watch daily, it can become a real asset). 

Here, we take it to the next level to enter the high-end range of Apple Watch. This model is designed and crafted for endurance sports, but more broadly for physical activity in all its forms (even the most extreme). 

The GPS is of surgical precision, the screen brightness is carefully studied, sapphire glass that withstands (almost) everything, and access to ultra-comprehensive activity and health data. The Apple Watch Ultra is the ally of those who make sports a true way of life and/or who engage in the practice of ultra-trail. 

⚠️ This technological marvel stands out in every sense of the word. The case, quite hefty, does not go unnoticed and requires a rather sturdy wrist. 

Once you've made your choice and your Apple Watch is on your wrist, it's time to fully understand how to optimize its use for running.

Starting with Apple Watch Series, Apple's watches offer you an impressive variety of health and performance data. 

On the health side, we can mention the activity rings that encourage you to move daily, heart rate and sleep quality analysis, sleep apnea detection… the features are numerous and particularly well-developed. 

Regarding performance data, once again the Apple Watch Series and Ultra are valuable allies in your workouts. Training load based on RPE, multiple and adaptable screen data according to sessions, heart rate, pace, power, altitude… difficult to list everything. You can use your Apple Watch to log your workouts and personalize your sessions. With the Ultra model, you can also mark segments in real time while you run.

Specifically, as with any smartwatch, we recommend taking the time to set it up to adapt the display and alerts to your own needs. Additionally, if you're a beginner or a recreational runner, take the time to establish the main functionalities you need. The Apple Watch SE may be more than sufficient for the use you intend, especially since the quality of the tools is optimal. 

🍒 The icing on the cake? The Apple Watch is compatible with the Campus app! You can directly import the workouts from your plan onto your watch. A significant time saving and a bit less mental load before your workout! 

Your Apple Watch's battery life will be closely linked to the model you've chosen. 

For the Apple Watch SE and Series 10, the battery is designed for a maximum duration of between 18 and 20 hours. Obviously, the more activities you start during this interval, the shorter the battery life will be. Specifically, battery life is not the strong point of these models, compared to more specialized smartwatches (Garmin, Coros, Polar etc.). However, it is more than sufficient for daily use with the possibility of frequent recharging. 

However, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 offers you up to 36 hours of battery life. It is designed for endurance runners who are fans of long efforts. It will be perfectly adapted for marathons and trails of all distances, except for ultra-trails. 

💡In any case, you can ensure to preserve your battery to the maximum, notably by activating the “power saving” mode when you don't use it. 

Here, we touch on one of the main flaws of the Apple ecosystem. The Apple Watch only works with an iPhone. 

Even though it can record your runs without the phone on you thanks to its integrated GPS, it must be paired with an iPhone for initial setup, configuration, and data synchronization. 

Therefore, it's impossible to fully use it with an Android smartphone (Samsung, Google Pixel, Xiaomi, etc.). If you use a phone from another brand, it's better to turn to models Garmin, Coros or Polar, which are compatible with both Android and iOS.

Are you hesitating between an Apple Watch and a smartwatch model from a specialized brand like Garmin, Polar or Coros? We give you some tips to guide you in your choice. 

When it comes to essential criteria for a smartwatch, GPS is far up the podium (and it's not third!). Its reliability is a guarantee of peace of mind, as well as ensuring quality training tracking. 

In this area, the high-end models from Garmin and Coros have a good head start. However, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 takes a big step forward with its dual-frequency GPS. It helps limit “urban canyons” effects in cities and ensures good location even under canopy in forest environments. This allows it to compete with market standards, although a small gap remains, which may have difficulty closing. 

Where the Apple Watch clearly takes the lead over its competitors is in its ease of use and daily versatility. Unlike specialized watches like Garmin, Coros or Polar, which excel in training and health data but remain very “sport”-oriented, the Apple Watch is designed as a true connected life assistant. This is evident in the functionalities, the interface, and also the design of the watch, which is much more “lifestyle”. 

Thus, where a Garmin or a Coros often require an adaptation time with a dense and technical interface, the Apple Watch focuses on an intuitive interface, clear menus, and seamless integration with the iPhone and the Apple ecosystem. 

👉 Result: it accompanies you everywhere, from the office to your long run of the weekend.

Specialized watches like Garmin or Coros maintain a serious advantage on two essential aspects: 

If you’re serious about running — whether it’s training for the London Marathon, tackling trail sessions or simply enjoying your weekly jog — the right watch makes a difference. A running watch that delivers reliable battery life, accurate heart rate tracking, and robust dual frequency GPS can turn good performances into great ones. The Apple Watch Ultra stands out in this regard, especially for endurance runners and outdoor athletes, while the Apple Watch Series (and even the entry-level models) bring smart functionality and everyday usability. As one of the top GPS running watches on the market, it brings smart safety features (ideal when navigating among tall buildings or busy city routes), a proven sleep-tracking system, and in-depth metrics like vertical oscillation, stride length, and custom workout configurations. Pairing it optionally with a chest strap also enhances accuracy for heart-rate and cadence measurements. So whether you’re prepping for a marathon or simply aiming to run more consistently, the right device supports your progress — making each run smarter, safer and more personal.
Do you want to know if you can turn to an Apple Watch to find your next running ally? The answer is yes… but! In reality, it all depends on your practice and the criteria you wish to prioritize. The Apple Watch, particularly the Ultra, is becoming increasingly interesting in terms of statistics, training etc… but it doesn't yet reach the precision of models from specialized brands. On the other hand, all ranges of the Apple brand display optimal versatility and a sophisticated design that make them perfect companions for leisure runners.