What GPS watch do you recommend for a runner who has an average mileage 80 miles per week and train for 42k and 21k races ?

Garmin Forerunner 230. Light, large screen with lots of data fields that can be customized to your needs, bluetooth connection to your phone (to import workout data from the watch and for the phone to send notifications to your watch if you like), decent GPS accuracy and one of the cheaper Garmin watches. If you really, really want a heart rate sensor, the 235 is the same watch but has a HR sensor for bit more money but it has received mixed reviews about how well it works for serious running (as opposed to sitting at your desk). The more expensive Forerunners have additional software features that to me seem useless for a serious runner.

Garmin Forerunner 15. If you averaged 82 mpw then my suggestion would change to Garmin 230.

It really depends on what you want. Almost every watch has more than you need. (A 2:13 marathoner I know uses the super-basic Forerunner 15.)

The only deal breaker, in my opinion, is that a few watches don't have an easy way to trigger manual laps. In Garmin's world, you'll be fine with everything except the Vivoactive 3, which has an overly-sensitive touch screen that you double-tap for laps. It's easy to brush the screen with winter clothing and accidentally trigger a lap, plus you can occasionally miss a lap.

Beyond that, it's just preferences. Smartphone features like apps? Ability to link to external sensors like footpods (useful if you depend on your watch for instant pacing)? Something attractive enough to wear with business casual attire at the office? Optical heart rate monitor (most are accurate for steady runs, though not for intervals, but they also make tracking your resting heart rate easy)?

Anyway, if I were looking for a no-nonsense running watch at a good price, I think the hands-down winner at present is the Polar M430. If you're willing to spend a bit more, the Garmin 735XT is a better value than the 230 or 235--it has way more functionality in terms of multisport mode, sensor compatibility, stuff like live Strava segments (want to go for a course record and see how far ahead or behind you are in real time?), and it runs the newest version of Garmin's app platform.

I agree there are so many choices, and quite a few of the watches are fairly expensive. Not sure how to decide or knowing exactly what I wanted, I just watched ebay for a couple weeks and ended up with a nicely used and inexpensive Garmin 620. It does everything I need (plus much more) and it's very simple to use on my everyday runs.

The most simple and economical digital wristwatch with stopwatch feature.

Electronic gizmos tend to slow folks down, learn your body.

Polar M400, very cheap right now. Otherwise, I have a Forerunner 230 and think it's plenty watch for your needs (although it costs twice the Polar -- 200€ vs 100€).

What LRC calls "real runners" maybe don't need a gps watch, but most pro marathoners seem to train using one.

Mizuno fanboy wrote: most pro marathoners seem to train using one.

ah, no.

Please, like there aren't plenty of videos and pictures of East African elite runners wearing GPS watches while training. Watch the National Geographic documentary about Nike's Breaking2 and see for yourself Kipchoge and his training group starting their watches for their morning run, for instance.

Most of the mitology about "real runners" you see around here is utter bullshit. A GPS watch is a tool -- if you find value in it, use it.

not my group wrote:

Mizuno fanboy wrote: most pro marathoners seem to train using one.

ah, no.

https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2013/10/31/KenyaRun2_wide-c97318dd49483b4421ed3de410149760e7df4641.jpg

There are several GPS watches in that image.

not my group wrote:

Mizuno fanboy wrote: most pro marathoners seem to train using one.

ah, no.

https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2013/10/31/KenyaRun2_wide-c97318dd49483b4421ed3de410149760e7df4641.jpg

if you avg 80 I'd not even get a watch that is not base at all you need at least 100 mpw of easy mileage before introducing watches to your training.

why do you think avg 80 mpw and training for half mary and thons is relevant for choosing your gps watch?

Mizuno fanboy wrote:

Please, like there aren't plenty of videos and pictures of East African elite runners wearing GPS watches while training. Watch the National Geographic documentary about Nike's Breaking2 and see for yourself Kipchoge and his training group starting their watches for their morning run, for instance.

Most of the mitology about "real runners" you see around here is utter bullshit. A GPS watch is a tool -- if you find value in it, use it.

No, they are right. Most real runners using gps for their running, but a foot pod in addition to the gps so they can have more adv stats about their power throughout the run.

Find a refurb 220.

The Garmin 220 is better than the 230, imho...

It's hard to find a watch that reads in both miles and kilometers at the same time. Might have to pick a direction.