TECH NEWS – Huawei will unveil its latest innovations in Madrid on February 26, including the HUAWEI WATCH GT Runner 2 smartwatch for professional runners, developed together with marathon icon Eliud Kipchoge and his team. The new model builds on five years of research and development and offers upgraded solutions in running performance, precision measurement and science-based training support. The launch focuses on sports and health technology, representing the next generation of Huawei wearables.
Budapest, 18 February 2026 – Eliud Kipchoge, one of the defining figures of modern marathon running, played a key role in the development of the new HUAWEI WATCH GT Runner 2. As the official technology partner of the dsm-firmenich Running Team, Huawei shaped the watch’s functions based on the athlete’s and his team’s experience.
The collaboration focused on factors such as stable pace control, the accuracy of route tracking in complex environments, the precision of heart-rate and HRV measurement, sleep-quality analysis, and monitoring fatigue and training load. The goal was to create a device capable of meeting the needs of elite competitors while also providing support that everyday runners can understand and use. This partnership goes beyond a conventional brand collaboration: the development process delivered a close integration of engineering work and professional athlete feedback.
Science-Based Training Support
The HUAWEI WATCH GT Runner 2 marks the technology company’s return to the professional running-watch segment after five years. The new generation offers a dedicated marathon mode, improved GPS positioning, advanced physiological monitoring, and science-based training algorithms.
The aim of these enhancements is to provide more accurate data, more reliable feedback, and more personalised training support, whether for race preparation or regular running sessions.
Market Experience And Technology Foundations
Huawei has become a major player in the wearables segment in recent years. In 2025, the company achieved a leading global market share and delivered more than 200 million wearable devices worldwide by mid-year.
The broad product portfolio and experience gained in health and sports technology created a strong foundation for the company to now re-enter the world of professional running with a focused approach. The new watch was developed with the involvement of more than 100 runners, drawing on high-precision data models and performance-evaluation algorithms.
Proven In International Competition
The development did not take place only in laboratory conditions. The HUAWEI WATCH GT Runner 2 was tested in live race environments even before its official unveiling. At the 2026 Barcelona Half Marathon, several elite athletes from the dsm-firmenich Running Team wore the not-yet-announced watch. One team member, Jake Smith, finished with the second-best time of his career while the device recorded pace, route and physiological data with high accuracy.
Earlier, at the Burj2Burj Half Marathon in Dubai, another standout athlete from the dsm-firmenich Running Team, Joshua Cheptegei, won a gold medal while also analysing his run with HUAWEI’s new device. The results achieved across different venues and conditions indicate that the device was developed to match real-world load and delivers reliable performance even against the expectations of professional runners.
A Global Premiere From The Front Line Of Innovation
The HUAWEI WATCH GT Runner 2 will officially debut on February 26 at the innovation product launch in Madrid. At the event, Huawei will also introduce additional new products, including smartphones, audio devices and tablets, strengthening the company’s sports, health and intelligent ecosystem strategy.
The company will publish availability details after the Madrid event.
