I'm looking for a decent runners watch for under $100. I'm a new runner training for a marathon and hoping

Question

for some suggestions. Thanks!

Answer 1

I had the same problem when I started training for my first marathon, because I wasn't about to spend $200 on a "watch system" with heart rate monitor and everything else.  If all you want to do is time yourself, here's what I have:

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref...

It has a lap memory; that's really all you need.  I think this is women's, but Timex makes a whole series of the "Ironman" watches. All are well under $100, actually closer to about $40 each.

Answer 2

Stay away from fitness stores due to your price range.

Check out Walmart, Zellers, Costco in the jewellery or sports departments.  Where I am, we also have SportMart....

Answer 3

It depends what your looking for in a watch.  I bought my first sports watch for training for a 1/2 marathon, it was a timex ironman.  It proved to be not enough features for me.  Then I got my second one with a heart rate monitor, stopwatch, split timer, calories burned, lap counter (a feature i never used).  This watch was 65 dollars and the price was right, it was a Sports instrument brand.  Had it for 4 years.  Now I want a garmin 405 (gps, hr, calories, distance, s/w, laps, etc)but its over 400 dollars.

Check out at ebay, you can get some really nice sports watches like Timex Body Link (heartrate/calories, distance, s/w, laps, etc) or Gamin 205, 50, Nike Triax, Reebok, etc.

http://search.ebay.ca/search/search.dll?...

I'm sure you'll find something within your budget here.

GOOD LUCK ON YOUR MARATHON!!  Finish upright and smiling.

Answer 4

Congrats on training for your first!  You will love it!  I use the Garmin Forerunner 305, which is far more of a package than you are looking for, but it does have siblings that get the job done for less than the $200+ that it costs.  Check https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=... this is Garmin's site and you can look at the various watches they have.  The Garmin Forerunner 50 w/foot pod can be found at various online dealers for around (if not under) that $100 mark.  Check froogle for that.  That particular watch gives you feedback on your distance by means of your stride (thanks to the footpod).  The other Garmins do it by GPS.  You can find a 201 or 101 model on ebay for less than $100.  I started with the 201 and it is a fabulous device!  My brother still uses the same one I had and he loves it.  

Having the ability to track your distance when running is a real plus, which is why I recommend the gps or foot pod watches.  This way, you can pick a route on a whim and know the distance as you go rather than having to map it out.  Also, it allows for you to know what your pace is constantly, which is a big bonus for new runners!  When I started, I was getting winded pretty quickly - when I started wearing the watch, I found that it was because I was going way faster than I should have been!  If you have any other questions that I may be able to help with, let me know!  Again, good luck!

Answer 5

What features do you want? What features do you absolutely have to have? Figure that out first then find something within your budget.

For about $35, I picked up a Timex 30 lap Ironman - more than adequate (IMHO) for the recreational runner.