10 Christmas Gift Running Watches

Looking for that perfect Christmas gift for your active friend or family member?
A fitness sports watch is a popular gift that rarely fails to please.

We have hand-picked our favorite ten Christmas gift sports watches, all support the basic features athletes need, making them suitable for anyone who takes more than a passing interest in their fitness and performance.

We have tried to include a broad range of watch models in terms of features, price and have listed alternative choices where appropriate. Some models are basic-yet-adequate, whereas others like the Garmin Forerunner and Polar models offer a more complete package.

Whoever you are buying for, or whatever your budget, there should be something to suit everyone among our 10 Christmas Gift Running Watches.

Please Note: Prices are approximations based on current Amazon listings and are subject to change at any time.

  • 50-lap recall
  • 2x Interval Rep Timer
  • On-the-fly lap/split Recall
  • The stand out feature of these Timex sleek watches is their sophisticated streamline design. Presented in a rugged resin case surrounding a digital dial, the adjustable resin strap with tang clasp ensures a secure and comfortable fit on the wrist. But don’t think style and fit is all these watches have to offer.

    With 100-Hour Chrono, 50-lap memory recall and 2 linkable interval timers, your gift will make a useful training tool as well as an attractive showpiece on the wrist of your friend or loved one.
    Timex Men’s Ironman Sleek 50-lap Watch T5H391 Timex Women’s Ironman Sleek Digital Watch T5K026
    New $42.88 New $40.27
    T5E241
  • Large, Tall Digits with Front Push-Button
  • FLIX Indiglo Activation System
  • 100-Lap Memory Recall
  • 9x Linkable Interval Timers
  • Packed with features, this watch is somewhat of a “workhorse” among fitness timepieces, perfect for the friend or loved one who approaches their training with a strict and disciplined work ethic.

    The large, tall digits and front push-button will be appreciated, not least the impressive 100-Laps of Memory Recall and 9 Linkable Interval Timers, giving the athlete all the tools they need for a perfect workout. The watch also has a Training Log, recording of Total Activity Time and the patented FLIX Indiglo Activation system.
    Timex Men’s Ironman 100-Lap FLIX System Watch T5E241
    New $44.68
    Tech 4 O Men's Accelerator Running Watch Tech 4 O Wonen's Accelerator Running Watch
  • Personal Profile Customization
  • 24 Hour Chrono, Accurate to 1/100th of a Sec
  • 50 Laps Storage
  • Countdown Timer
  • Accelerometer watches accurately measure the number of steps taken in a workout and throughout a given day. Advanced accelerometer watches can also measure, your speed, distance and caloric expenditure to a high degree of accuracy. The Tech 4 O watches do all of these and at an affordable price.

    Ideal for the fitness enthusiast who loves to keep track of everything, they will love the fact that this accurate accelerometer does not require any awkward mechanical belt clips or foot pods.
    Tech 4 O Accelerator Men’s Running Watch Tech 4 O Accelerator Women’s Running Watch
    New $44.80 New $49.99
  • 150 Lap Memory Recall
  • Training Log Feature
  • 9 Interval Timers
  • Target Time Feature
  • The perfect gift for runners who run lap after lap after lap… With 150 lap memory recall they will appreciate being able to record their session laps without worry of losing times.

    These watches support a training log feature that stores workouts by date, with best lap, average lap and total segment time. Add to that 9 interval timers and you have a capable training tool for any athlete who participates in regular interval training.
    Timex Men’s Ironman Sleek Triathlon 150-Lap Watch T5H721 Timex Men’s Ironman Sleek 150 Lap Watch T5B551
    New $53.99 New $64.97
    T5C411 T59761
  • Heart Rate Monitor Strap
  • Target Zones with Time in Zone Measurement
  • Recovery Heart Rate Timer
  • 30-Lap Memory with Average Heart Rate per Lap
  • 3-Mode Countdown Timer
  • Calorie Measurement
  • Thanks to Timex, you can now reward your friend or loved one with the power and precision of an ECG-accurate heart rate monitor watch, at the fraction of the price of a top-line HRM

    These Timex watches feature chest strap heart monitor, easily accessible buttons and have the facility to work out to a pre-set target heart rate zone. Your time spent within a zone is measured and the watch will alert you whenever you fall outside the target zone.
    Timex Ironman T5C411 Unisex 30-Lap Digital Fitness Heart Rate Monitor Watch Timex Ironman T59761 Midsize 30-Lap Digital Fitness Heart Rate Monitor Watch
    New $58.00 New $53.93
    Polar RS100 Heart Rate Monitor For Runners
  • Polar OwnZone® – Heart Rate Zones
  • Polar OwnCal® – Calorie Measurement
  • Alternating/Repeating Countdown Timers
  • Polar OwnCode® – eliminates interference with other HRM’s
  • A sophisticated heart rate monitor watch, from the best in the heart-rate business. The Polar RS100 heart rate monitor includes Polar’s exclusive OwnZone feature that guides you through an appropriate warm-up routine within your zone, as well as OwnCal which records your energy expended for each session and over a longer period of time.

    With a large, clear display and large lap/split button, this the perfect spoil for anyone who is passionate about their fitness.
    Polar RS100 Heart Rate Monitor Watch For Runners
    New $109.95
    Suunto T3 GPS Multisport Bundle Suunto T3
  • 4 Adjustable Heart Rate Zones and Alarms
  • Training Effect Measurement
  • Calories Burned
  • Speed and Distance (with GPS)
  • The Suunto T3 is a sophisticated heart rate monitor, but is also much more. The Suunto is the only fitness watch that measures Training Effect. This allowes you to track your actual physiological progress in real time, more accurately than other heart rate monitor watches.

    If you are out to really spoil your friend or loved one this Christmas, then the GPS pod bundle is a runner’s nirvana, allowing an athlete to accurately measure speed, distance and pace. For those on a stricter budget the standard sports watch can be purchased.
    Suunto T3 and GPS POD Multisport Combo Pack Suunto T3 Heart Rate Monitor and Fitness Trainer Watch
    New $249.00 New $135.00
    Garmin Forerunner 405 GPS Tracking Watch Garmin Forerunner 205/305 GPS Tracking Watch
  • High-Sensitivity GPS Signal Reception
  • Precise Speed, Distance, Directional & Pace Data
  • Advanced workout features
  • Heart Rate Monitor, with Zone Alerts
  • Advanced Software with sharing on MotionBase.com / Garmin Connect
  • Give the gift of GPS Tracking. For powerful sports GPS, the Garmin Forerunner watches are the best in the business, which is why these watches have been been selling like crazy.

    The recently introduced Forerunner 405 features a smaller, less blocky form than it’s predecessor and wireless transfer of data to a PC, but lacks the navigation features of the 305. Both models feature speed, distance and pace measurement, customizable display, advanced workout features, heart rate monitor with zone settings (some models) and advanced software.
    Garmin Forerunner 405 Black GPS Enabled Sports Watch/HRM Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Receiver With Heart Rate Monitor
    New $349.99 New $179.89
    Timex Ironman T5F001 Unisex 100-Lap Target Trainer Heart Rate Monitor Watch
  • 100-lap Memory Recall with Average Heart Rate Per Lap
  • 3-Line Display with Customizable Format
  • Target Heart Rate Zones
  • Interval Timer Feature
  • The T5J985 Unisex Trail Runner Bodylink supports both GPS and heart-rate sensor. Unlike the Forerunner, the GPS relies on an external pod that connects to your forearm or clips onto your shorts. This watch is unique among Bodylink watches in that it supports navigation.

    The T5F001 is a heart rate monitor watch, but comes without a GPS (it can be upgraded later, or the Bodylink T5F011 is feature-identical and includes GPS). The watch supports 4 Linked interval timer workouts with warm-up and cool-down, making it one of the best value running watch we’ve seen! The perfect gift for the performance runner.
    Timex Ironman T5J985 Unisex Trail Runner Bodylink Heart Rate Monitor Watch Timex Ironman T5F001 Unisex 100-Lap Target Trainer Heart Rate Monitor Watch
    New $179.89 New $78.50
  • Strength Training Guidance Feature
  • Polar STAR Training Program
  • Fitness Test Measures Your Aerobic Fitness at Rest
  • Polar OwnCal®
  • ZonePointer and Polar OwnZone modes
  • Can sync your watch with www.polarpersonaltrainer.com
  • To completely spoil them, this high performance wrist-watch computer from Polar will maximize an athlete’s performance. The intelligent training computer helps you achieve maximum efficiency and reach your workout targets for both cardio and strength training. The watch features the Polar Star personalized training program that adpats to workout habbits and sets weekly targets to keep your fitness on track. The watch measures heart rate and sounds an alarm if you dip below your target zone, or train too hard.

    Serious athletes will revel in the variety of proprietary Polar functions, including ZonePointer, Polar Strength Training and Polar OwnCal modes.
    Polar FT80 Heart Rate Monitor Watch
    New $329.95

    Please Note: Prices are approximations based on current Amazon listings and are subject to change at any time.