Best Running Watch For Cross Country And Track Athletes

As a sports performance and run coach, I am often asked what is the best running watch for cross country or track athletes.

For cross country and track athletes, I recommend the Garmin Forerunner 165 as the best overall value, or the Garmin Forerunner 265 for athletes who want more advanced features. Both watches use GPS technology to track distance, pace, and intensity levels during training.

For athletes who prefer a smartwatch they can also use in daily life, the Apple Watch SE is a great alternative. I coach several athletes who use and are happy with their Apple Watch.

Why Garmin?

Garmin is the industry standard when it comes to running watches. I have been using Garmin watches exclusively since 2010, and every model I have ever owned has been a useful tool in my training as well as for the athletes I coach.

The Forerunner 165 and 265 are affordable relative to what you get. They contain everything you need — the most important training metrics — without having to pay for a more expensive running watch.

Do Not Use GPS Watches During Track or Cross Country Meets

First and foremost, please understand that most organized cross country and track meets do not allow athletes to wear running watches during competitions. Wearing one during a competition could get you disqualified. Please make sure you fully understand the rules going into the competition.

However, using a running watch as a training tool during practices and the pre-competition season can be highly beneficial. Running watches take the guesswork out of what is really going on during training by providing useful feedback such as heart rate, recovery scores, and more.

Why Use a Running Watch?

A running watch is a specialized tool that tracks a runner's pace, level of intensity, and distance, along with a whole lot of other useful metrics for analyzing training. While it may seem like a luxury item at first, a GPS running watch can genuinely help your athlete improve their running.

All running watches keep track of pace and mileage, which can:

• Track improvements in running speed and distance over time
• Ensure proper training intensity — running the right effort level for each type of workout
• Monitor recovery — helping athletes know when to push and when to rest

In some types of runs, we want to run fast (to build speed and stamina), and in other runs, we want to run slow (to build endurance). A GPS running watch helps your athlete maintain a steady pace at the right level of intensity to get a quality workout without fizzling out because they started too fast.

We have a saying among the athletes I coach: anyone can go for a run. We want to train so we get the appropriate training outcome. A GPS running watch makes that possible.

My Running Watch Recommendations

Best Overall Value: Garmin Forerunner 165

The Garmin Forerunner 165 is my top recommendation for cross country and track athletes. Here is why:

• Bright AMOLED display — easy to read at a glance during workouts
• Multi-band GPS — the same accurate GPS technology found on watches costing twice as much
• Heart rate monitoring and zones — athletes can see exactly how hard they are working
• Training Readiness score — tells athletes when they are recovered enough to train hard
• Daily suggested workouts — the watch recommends a workout each day based on fitness and recovery
• Lightweight at 39g — comfortable for all-day wear and running
• Up to 11 days of battery in smartwatch mode and 19 hours of GPS tracking

At under $300, the Forerunner 165 delivers features that were only available on $500+ watches just a couple of years ago. It is the best value in running watches right now.

Mid-Upper Range: Garmin Forerunner 265

For athletes (or parents) who want to invest in a more capable watch, the Garmin Forerunner 265 adds several advanced features on top of what the 165 offers:

• Triathlon and multisport mode — for athletes who swim, bike, and run
• Morning Report — a daily briefing showing sleep quality, HRV, training readiness, and weather
• Music storage — sync Spotify or Amazon Music playlists directly to the watch
• Longer battery life — up to 13 days smartwatch mode and 20 hours of GPS
• Two size options — 46mm (265) and 42mm (265S) for smaller wrists

I personally own and use the Forerunner 265, which I wrote about in my detailed review here. It is a more capable watch than the 165, but honestly, the 165 covers everything most cross country and track athletes need. The 265 is worth the upgrade if your athlete also does triathlons, wants music on the watch, or just wants the latest and greatest.

Budget Option: Garmin Forerunner 55

The Garmin Forerunner 55 has been discontinued but is still widely available at deep discounts, often under $150. It is a simple, reliable watch that does the basics exceptionally well — GPS tracking, heart rate, daily suggested workouts, and Garmin Coach training plans. If budget is the primary concern, the 55 is still a solid choice.

My Recommendation if Choosing a Garmin Alternative

Garmin is not the only player in the sports and running watch industry. An Apple Watch SE makes a great alternative, especially for younger athletes.

While the Apple Watch is not a dedicated running watch — it is a smartwatch with fitness tracking built in — it does track pace, distance, and heart rate, and it has gotten significantly better with each new model.

The big advantage of an Apple Watch over Garmin for younger athletes is that kids love Apple Watches. Since it is an all-purpose watch with activity tracking included, they may be more likely to wear it at all times, while a Garmin is usually only worn during workouts. The Apple Watch also offers safety features like Fall Detection, Crash Detection, and Emergency SOS that can give parents peace of mind.

The main downside compared to Garmin is battery life. The Apple Watch needs charging every day or two, while a Garmin can last 1-2 weeks on a single charge.

Other Things to Consider

When recommending a running watch for kids and teens, I suggest keeping it simple. Focus on the basics: distance tracking, heart rate monitoring, and ease of use. The last thing we want is for the watch to be a distraction. Any of these watches will work.

While more advanced metrics on expensive watches can be interesting, they can also be more difficult to interpret. For most cross country and track athletes, knowing their pace, heart rate zone, and having a recovery score is more than enough to train effectively.

If I were purchasing a watch for my child today, I would go with the Garmin Forerunner 165. It hits the sweet spot between features, usability, and price.

Compare These Watches Side by Side

Want to see how these watches compare on every spec and feature? Use our interactive comparison tool to see them side by side with full technical specs, training features, and real runner reviews.

Final Thoughts

While a running watch can be an investment, I have found that when used appropriately, a GPS watch helps athletes train better and smarter.

I have also found that as athletes tune in to their training metrics, it creates a boost in accountability and program adherence when it comes to sticking to their workouts. Athletes like to share their runs on Strava and follow their teammates, which builds camaraderie and healthy competition.

In my coaching practice, I do not require the kids or adults I work with to use a running watch. However, if one is available, verifying that workouts are done correctly is extremely useful. So useful, in fact, that many team coaches I know use a running watch combined with Strava to ensure their athletes are training during the off-season.

I also use training metrics to set up age-appropriate workouts and to coach athletes to do them correctly. This way I can show tangible results over time because we have a data trail and can graph progress.

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