If you like running with your Apple Watch, you’re going to want to download the latest watchOS version, watchOS 9.2, which delivers two highly-anticipated features to your Apple Watch Series 4 or later: Race Route and Automatic Track Detection.
Race Route is a new feature designed for Apple Watch wearers who frequently run the same outdoor route over and over again — it essentially allows you to race against yourself. You have to run a specific route with your Apple Watch at least twice, but after that the route will then be saved as a Race Route. Then, the next time you go to start an “Outdoor Run” workout on your Apple Watch, you can select the three dot ellipsis button and then pick the Race Route you’re going to do.
When initiated, your Apple Watch will compare your current run against the last time you ran that route or, if you’ve run it quite frequently, your best overall performance. During your run, your Apple Watch will send you alerts during your run telling you how many seconds ahead or behind you are, as well as show you a map of where you are on that specific route.
Race Route is a feature that cyclists can take advantage of, too. They just need to initiate it through the Outdoor Cycling workout on their Apple Watch.
Automatic Track Detection is a new feature that’s specifically designed for runners who workout on an actual outdoor track. Using data from Apple Maps and the watch’s built-in GPS, your Apple Watch will detect when you’ve arrived at any standard 400m outdoor track and then prompt you to pick your lane and then start a workout. It will use this data to more accurately track things like distance and pace. And during your workout, you can have your Apple Watch send you lap alerts.
MacDailyNews Take: The world’s best, most fully featured running watch just got even better for free!
See also: Apple releases macOS Ventura 13.1, iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, tvOS 16.2, watchOS 9.2 – December 13, 2022
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Wish a dev would “get onboard” and make something for us rowers and scullers to use with this new watch. What’s out there now is lacking, thus Garmin has the corner of the market. After all, we are a life long, diehard, and dedicated lot.