I ran the London Marathon with the Garmin Forerunner 970 vs Coros Pace 4 — which was more accurate?
The author compared the Garmin Forerunner 970 and Coros Pace 4 during the London Marathon to evaluate their accuracy in GPS, heart rate monitoring, and race pacing. Both watches performed well, with the Garmin slightly more accurate in tracking the official marathon distance. The review highlights improvements in GPS reliability, especially in urban areas with tall buildings.
- ▪The Garmin Forerunner 970 recorded a distance closer to the official 26.219-mile marathon length compared to the Coros Pace 4.
- ▪Both watches showed strong GPS accuracy, even in challenging areas like Canary Wharf with skyscrapers.
- ▪The author used both devices throughout training and the race, noting reliable optical heart rate sensors on each model.
- ▪Mile splits on both watches closely matched course markers, though the lap counter was reset a few times for accuracy.
- ▪The Coros Pace 4 is noted for its lightweight design and value, while the Garmin Forerunner 970 is praised for its comprehensive features and premium build.
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Wellness Smartwatches I ran the London Marathon with the Garmin Forerunner 970 vs Coros Pace 4 — which was more accurate? Features By Nick Harris-Fry published 28 April 2026 Both watches impressed on race day When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Future) Jump to: Verdict Copy link Facebook X Reddit Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter I’ve run the London Marathon nine times and if there’s one thing I’ve learned from all those races it’s that having one of the best running watches on your wrist can help you train for and pace the event.Over the years I’ve noticed a clear improvement in the GPS accuracy on top…
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