Huawei partners with marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge to unveil a next-generation running watch
Guatemala, January 2026. On January 5, 2026, the running team “dsm-firmenich,” home to marathon icon Eliud Kipchoge, announced a groundbreaking collaboration with Huawei. As the official technology partner, Huawei is joining forces with this team, known as the world’s most formidable running team , to elevate the spirit of sport, inspire widespread passion for running, and promote smarter training methods. This fusion of athletic excellence and technological innovation is revitalizing the global running movement, while also marking Huawei’s bold return to the professional running watch market after a five-year hiatus.
Widely regarded as a living legend among runners worldwide , Kipchoge's career is nothing short of iconic. His groundbreaking achievement of completing a marathon in 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 40 seconds shattered the elusive two-hour barrier—a historic milestone that redefined the limits of human capability and embodied his belief that "no human being has limits."
For him, “ running transcends elitism; it is a universal activity open to everyone, regardless of age or distance goals. It is a symbol of freedom, a path to health, and a powerful expression of unity.” In November 2025, after winning the prestigious Seven Star medal, Kipchoge announced a new and ambitious chapter in his career: a global adventure to run seven marathons on seven continents. Through this extraordinary journey, he seeks to build bridges between diverse cultures through running and inspire healthier living around the world.
To promote the universal passion for running, Kipchoge needed a partner with global influence, cutting-edge technology, and a vast user network, and Huawei stood out as the perfect choice. For over 12 years, Huawei has been at the forefront of the health and fitness industry , with more than 200 million wearables sold worldwide through June 2025 and leading global sales in the first three quarters of that year. Thanks to its commitment to innovation and its enormous user community, Huawei embodies excellence in running. Its state-of-the-art solutions provide Kipchoge and his team with invaluable insights, such as precise training data and scientific assessments of training pace, enabling elite runners to push their limits and redefine what's possible.
This collaboration comes with a surprising revelation: Huawei is about to unveil a new, next-generation professional sports watch focused on running, marking its return to this market five years after the debut of the first-generation HUAWEI WATCH GT Runner in 2021. During this time, Huawei has meticulously refined its technological edge: the TruSense system, which offers unparalleled accuracy, responsiveness, and comprehensiveness in health and fitness tracking; the Sunflower positioning system, representing a quantum leap in positioning accuracy; and rigorous testing involving over 100 runners, ensuring that running performance predictions exceed 97% accuracy. [1] Meanwhile, a machine learning model for fatigue assessment allows athletes to train smarter.
To add even more credibility, elite runners like Kipchoge and Joshua Cheptegei will contribute practical knowledge about training and racing, driving iterative improvements to algorithms and features to create devices that truly meet the needs of runners.
Huawei's upcoming entry into the running watch market addresses a long-standing challenge: bridging the gap between high-end functionality and user-friendly design. While most existing models cater exclusively to elite runners with complex features that overwhelm casual users, Huawei leverages its extensive technological expertise to create a versatile solution. Designed to meet the rigorous demands of experienced runners while remaining accessible to beginners, it also serves as a comprehensive health management tool for the general public. By removing barriers and seamlessly blending professional performance with accessible health tracking, Huawei empowers everyone passionate about running and living life to the fullest.









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