Today is Global Running Day, an event that is held every year on first Wednesday of June, with the mission of encouraging more ad more people to do physical fitness and embrace a healthier way of life, it is not necessary to run a marathon to commemorate the day and every small step counts and could be a nice starting point for people who have been planning to start their running journey, as a runner myself i can say ruing is the best therapy one can get, and has both physical as well as mental benefits.
To celebrate this day Apple has also made soem moves this year and is putting forth its Apple Watch and Apple Fitness+ services that aid and implement your healthy lifestyle specially on the Global Running Day. To give users an extra impetus Apple has also introduced a limited edition award on Apple Watch and apart from that a new feature the Fitness+ Treadmill Workout which features Strava Danielle Burnett a celebrated athlete. The award will be given to those when they record a running of at least 5K (3.1 Miles) using the workout app or any other app on the device.
Three Apple Watch Models, Three Different Running Experiences
Apple is putting a spotlight on the running-focused features available across its latest Apple Watch lineup, positioning the devices as training companions that can support everything from daily jogs to long-distance race preparation.
At the top of the lineup sits the Apple Watch Ultra 3, which starts at INR 89,900. Designed with endurance athletes in mind, it offers Apple's most accurate GPS system, the longest battery life of any Apple Watch, and a customisable Action button that can be used to quickly start workouts or mark segments during a run.
The Apple Watch Series 11, priced from INR 46,900, targets users who want advanced fitness tracking in a slimmer form factor. Alongside up to 24 hours of battery life, it supports fast charging, with Apple claiming that a 15-minute charge can provide up to eight hours of usage.
For those looking for a more affordable entry point, the Apple Watch SE 3 starts at INR 25,900 and includes key fitness, health and safety features, along with an Always-On display and fast charging support.
Built Around Runners
Much of the running experience revolves around Apple's Workout app, which has steadily evolved beyond basic pace and distance tracking.
Users can create structured training sessions with Custom Workouts, combining distance targets, timed intervals and recovery periods into a single plan. The feature also works with third-party training platforms such as TrainingPeaks, Vdot and Runna.
During a run, athletes can customise what they see on screen, whether that's heart rate zones, split times, elevation data or activity rings. For runners who like to dig deeper into performance, Apple Watch also tracks advanced metrics including stride length, vertical oscillation, ground contact time and running power.
The Pacer feature is designed for goal-based training. Runners can enter a target finishing time for a chosen distance, and the watch will continuously guide them on the pace required to stay on track.
Apple has also introduced tools aimed at runners who frequently train on tracks or repeat the same routes. Automatic track detection recognises standard outdoor tracks and uses GPS alongside Apple Maps data to improve distance and pace accuracy. Race Route, meanwhile, allows runners to compare a current effort against a previous run on the same course and receive alerts if they move ahead, fall behind or go off route.
Another feature, Training Load, takes a broader view of fitness by comparing recent workouts with longer-term activity trends. The goal is to help runners understand whether they are increasing intensity at a sustainable rate, particularly when preparing for a race or major event.
Beyond Fitness Tracking
While running features are a major focus, Apple continues to position the watch as an all-day health device.
Sleep tracking now includes a sleep score, giving users a clearer picture of sleep quality based on factors such as duration, consistency and time spent awake overnight. The Vitals app adds another layer of insight by presenting overnight health data in a single place.
Safety features remain a key part of the experience as well. Depending on the model, users have access to tools such as Emergency SOS, Fall Detection and satellite communications on the Apple Watch Ultra 3.
New Fitness+ Content Arrives For Runners
Apple is also expanding its Fitness+ library with new running-related content.
A new treadmill workout features Fitness+ trainer Sherica Holman alongside Danielle Burnett, founder of the running community Big Girls Who Run. The session includes six high-intensity 30-second intervals designed to push runners during shorter bursts of effort.
The company has also partnered with Strava on a new programme called 4 Weeks of Strength for Runners. Led by ultramarathon athletes Kayla Jeter and Hellah Sidibe, the series focuses on strength-building exercises that complement running training.
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Elsewhere, Fitness+ continues to offer guided programmes such as Run Your First 5K, Run Your First 10K and Yoga for Every Runner, alongside interval-based treadmill workouts, recovery sessions and the audio-guided Time to Run experience.
The subscription service is available through the Fitness app on iPhone and is priced at INR 149 per month or INR 999 per year.The difference is that this version reads like a journalist explaining what Apple announced, rather than Apple's PR team listing features one after another.