Apple Watch Ultra very inaccurate in running

I just competed a marathon, 26.2 miles, USTF certified. I’m sure my distance was nominally higher, but my Iwatch ultra had my distance recorded at 30.35 miles. 4 miles farther than my actual distance. As I purchased the ultra because of the “dual gps and highly improved accuracy “ to track my running. I am highly disappointed, and feel like I have been ripped off. I could have saved a bunch of $ and purchased a Garmin.

Even worse I relied on this overpriced piece of garbage to provide accurate distances during my training for this event. It has recorded its last run for me and will be the last time I strap an Iwatch on.

mee too facing speed & distance error on ultra watch, a 5km track metered by bike shows 4.7km in ultra watch each time, where my frnds normal watches showing almost correct. Highly disappointed with this product. Highly inaccurate

Something to think about:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/16/sports/gps-watches-professional-runners.html

If you are within your 14 days after purchase, you can certainly return the watch and replace it. If you are beyond 14 days, you can still take advantage of the warranty.

https://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/

Watch workout distance accuracy -Carry iPhone or No?

Using a V14 phone with a V7 watch. Software current, with updates applied within one or two days of release. I use the workout in "Outdoor Cycle" mode on a set course that is about 10.9 miles. I ride the same line every time so the most variation is two to three hundred feet. This is on streets in a suburban area with very good coverage.

I have cycled the same course now for well over one hundred sessions over more than three months. Initially I just did it with and without my phone. A friend said that she wasn't comfortable riding without her phone. I understood her concern so I added it a third way - my watch and my powered down phone.

The results are extremely consistent. If I only have my watch or have my powered down phone, the distance measured is between 10.87 and 10.93. If I have my phone with me and powered up the distance measured is between 10.30 and 10.89.

Bottom line - if you want better accuracy in your workouts, shut your phone off before you ride.

My marathon is next week, and my Ultra has not been working right for 6 months. I have been on the phone with Apple for nearly all of that time. We have troubleshot in every way possible, and they even sent me a new watch. This is a bigger issue and an epic disappointment. I don't have any faith that my watch will track my marathon run accurately, but I am too invested in Apple to go out and buy a Garmin at this stage in the game. "Disgusted and angry" doesn't even scratch the surface of how I feel. Basically, the Apple Watch Ultra is an overpriced paperweight.