I Ran An Ultramarathon In The Apple Watch Ultra - The Running Channel

Aug 13, 2025

Intro: This is a quick summary of I Ran An Ultramarathon In The Apple Watch Ultra from The Running Channel. It’s a great watch‑tech watch‑review — we’re breaking it down so you can try the key take‑aways today. Be sure to check out the full video for all the details.

Key Points:

The Apple Watch Ultra can power a 50 km (≈31 mi) run, but battery drops about 10 % every 10 km; expect ~70 % left at 30 km.
Real‑time metrics (HR zones, cadence, power) are visible on six separate screens, great for pacing.
The “Backtrack” feature lets you set a waypoint and retrace it—useful for navigation on long loops.
On‑run notifications (WhatsApp replies, alerts) keep you connected without stopping.
The built‑in 90 dB safety siren works up to 500 m, adding a useful emergency signal.
While the Ultra handles city marathons well, for true ultras you may still prefer a dedicated GPS watch with longer battery (e.g., Garmin Enduro).

Workout Example (from James’ 50 km test):

Start the Outdoor Run – GPS workout on the watch.
Run in 10 km splits, checking battery after each split (≈10 % drop per 10 km).
Use Backtrack to mark the start of each loop for easy return navigation.
Monitor HR, cadence, and power on the dedicated screens to stay in your desired effort zones.
Take advantage of on‑run notifications to reply to messages or get alerts without pulling out your phone.
At ~30 km, test the siren for a quick safety check (heard up to 500 m).

Closing Note: Try this 50 km split‑and‑monitor approach on your next long run—adjust the distances and paces to fit your own training in the Pacing app. The Apple Watch Ultra can be a solid companion for city races and shorter ultras; for longer events, consider your battery needs. Enjoy the run and keep exploring the tech that helps you stay faster and safer! (Don’t forget to watch the full video for deeper insights.)