How to start a running workout
- Open the Workout app.
- Scroll to Outdoor Run or Indoor Run.
- Tap the More button
to create a goal for your workout, or to complete a Pacer or Custom workout. You can tap the Edit icon 
to modify workouts, or scroll down and tap Create Workout to make a new one. - Tap Start.
- Wait for the three-second countdown. To skip the countdown, tap the screen.
If you're in the United States, your Apple Watch may recognize when you've arrived at a standard-shaped outdoor track with visible lane markings with Automatic Track Detection.1 When you start an Outdoor Run, you're prompted to select the lane in which you plan to run. Automatic Track Detection uses both GPS and Apple Maps data to try to give you the most accurate distance, pace, and route map. You can also add an alert for each lap completed during a track run in the Alerts settings of the Workout app.
To check your progress, check your watch face. Pace alerts are available for Outdoor Run only.
If you have Apple Watch Ultra, you can set your running workout to the Action button. You can also turn on Precision Start in workout settings, which will show when you have a GPS signal and will skip the countdown automatically.
Learn how to use the Action button on your Apple Watch Ultra
How to pause your run
To pause your run, press both the Digital Crown and the side button at the same time. To resume, press both buttons again.
You can also set indoor and outdoor running workouts to automatically pause when you stop moving.
- On your Apple Watch, open the Settings app, then tap Workout > Auto-Pause > Auto-Pause.
- On your iPhone, open the Watch app, tap the My Watch tab, then tap Workout > Auto-Pause > Auto-Pause.
How to end your workout
Swipe right, then tap the End button 
. When your workout ends, your Apple Watch shows you a summary of your workout. To see more, check your workout history in the Fitness app on your iPhone.
How to track your progress
Customize the metrics that you see when you work out, and see your past workouts.
Choose which metrics to track
- Open the Workout app.
- Tap the More button next to the workout that you want to do.
- Tap the Edit button next to the goal or workout configuration.
- Tap Workout Views, then tap Edit Views.
- Tap Include to add the metric to your Workout View. You can also tap the Edit button next to a metric, then select a metric to edit.
- Change which metrics you want to include.
You can also tap Reorder, then touch and hold the Change Order button 
to change the order.
To see the metrics you included, turn the Digital Crown during your workout.
Running form metrics
There are a number of metrics to help you get the most out of your running workout.2
Vertical Oscillation: Tap to add an estimate of how much your body travels vertically as you run in centimeters. This measurement, along with stride length, can give you a sense of how much energy you’re using to drive upward versus forward. Apple Watch can log your vertical oscillation automatically during outdoor running workouts.
Running Stride Length: Tap to add an estimate of how much distance you cover from one step to the next while running in meters. Along with cadence, stride length determines your overall running speed. Apple Watch can log your running stride length automatically during outdoor running workouts. For the best Stride Length estimates, run for approximately 200 meters to calibrate your Apple Watch.
Ground Contact Time: Tap to add an estimate of the time each foot spends touching the ground while running in milliseconds. Apple Watch can log your ground contact time automatically during outdoor running workouts.
Heart Rate Zones: Tap Include to add Heart Rate Zones to get a sense of your intensity level.
Running Power: Tap Include to show an estimate of the work you’re doing while running measured in watts. Running Power reflects the intensity of your run and can give a sense of your effort as your speed or incline changes. Apple Watch can log your Running Power automatically during outdoor running workouts. Running Power is reported only during running workouts and cannot capture any extra load, such as a weighted backpack.
Elevation: Tap Include to show your elevation as you run.
Activity Rings: Tap Include to show the progress of your Activity Rings during your workout.
View your route
- On your iPhone, open the Fitness app.
- Tap Show More next to Workouts.
- Tap the workout that you want to view, then scroll down.
- Tap the map. The colors show your pace, with green the fastest pace and red, the slowest.
To see the route, you must have an Apple Watch Series 2 or later or have your iPhone with you during the workout. You must also turn on route tracking: On your iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services, tap Apple Watch Workout, then tap While Using the App.
Race your last or best time with Race Route
After you've completed the same route two or more times with little to no deviation, you can select it and race against your last or best time with Race Route.
- Open the Workout app.
- Scroll to Outdoor Run.
- Tap the More button .
- Tap the Route you wish to race against, then select Last or Personal Best.
As you run, your Apple Watch shows you a comparison of your current and previous run. You can check your progress to see how far ahead or behind you are, as well as the distance remaining. You'll also receive an "Off Route" notification if you run off-course.
If you're near the starting point of a previous route, available routes appear as a suggested workout. To view all routes, tap Suggested then Route.
Get ready for a long-distance run
With Apple Watch, you can choose how to get ready for a long-distance run, like a marathon. Check out your options below:
- Low Power Mode disables the Always On display. Learn more about Low Power Mode.
- You can sync music, podcasts, and audiobooks directly to your Apple Watch ahead of time, so you can enjoy your content even when you're out of range of your iPhone. Learn how to sync content to your Apple Watch.
- Bring your iPhone with you. If you bring your iPhone with you, your watch can use Bluetooth for battery-intensive functions like connectivity, streaming music or podcasts, accessing Siri, and more.
- If your long-distance run is later in the day, you can preserve battery life by turning off cellular and the Always On display in the hours before your run. Learn how to turn cellular on or off and how to manage Always On settings.
- Learn more about battery performance.
Get better results
- Make sure that your health details are accurate in the Health app.
- Verify that your Watch Orientation is correct on your Apple Watch under Settings > General > Orientation.
- When running, swing your arms naturally with empty hands, and don't run with your arms restricted.
- Poor GPS quality can impact your running form estimates.
- Your Apple Watch estimates your measurements during workouts based on the information that you entered during setup. Learn how to get the best measurements.
- See your Activity history.
1. Automatic Track Detection and Race Route are available only on Apple Watch Series 4 or later with watchOS 9.2 or later.
2. Vertical Oscillation, Running Stride Length, and Ground Contact Time are available only on Apple Watch Series 6 or later with watchOS 9 or later.