Running News Daily

Sadly, it’s not as easy as dropping off your old shoes at a local running store.

There comes a time when every GPS watch or activity tracker must be replaced. Maybe you’re currently in the market for a new one because it doesn’t hold a charge long enough or has finally broken down. After the excitement of taking a brand new watch from its packaging, you might turn to your old one and think, now what?

If your old watch is beyond repair, you now have some pesky electronic waste (e-waste) on your hands. According to the World Health Organization, e-waste is the fastest growing solid waste stream in the world, and the United Nations reports only 20 percent of that waste is recycled. 

It can be confusing to understand what exactly you’re supposed to do with e-waste because it’s inconvenient to properly dispose of. So your watch (and other old electronics) languish in forgotten dresser drawers or in dark basements. 

Recycling your old watch won’t be as easy as recycling a plastic bottle, but we’ve rounded up the disposal programs from several major watch companies to get you started. You’ll also find how to wipe your data from the watch before recycling it.

Switching watch brands? You can export your data, but you may find it easier to sync the brand’s app to your favorite activity-tracking app. Exporting your data can take up to 30 days for some brands, the file types and quantities could intimidate those who aren’t tech savvy, and importing the data can take hours.

Brands That Recycle Your Watch for You

Apple, Fitbit, Garmin, and Polar currently offer programs for recycling or that allow users to return their watches to them.

Apple

Apple's Reuse and Recycling Program offers trade in value from $70–$365 for your old Apple Watch. You can initiate the process online or visit an Apple Store to learn if your watch is eligible for credit. If it isn’t, Apple will recycle it for you for free. 

See Apple’s instructions for how to reset and prepare your watch for recycling and trade in. 

Update your Apple Watch to the latest version of watch OS > unpair and erase your Apple Watch (when you unpair, your iPhone will create a backup) > remove the band from your Apple Watch (if included in the box, it will be recycled)

You can export your health and fitness data from Apple's Health app.

Tap your initials at the top right (or by tapping Summary or Browse at the bottom of the screen, then scroll to the top) > tap Export All Health Data

Fitbit

You can recycle your Fitbit through Google’s recycling program, which provides a free shipping label (for those in the U.S., for the rest of the world). Place your Fitbit in a sturdy box, attach the label, and follow the shipping directions or drop the package off at a nearby collection site.

Select your fitbit device for instructions on how to erase your data.

To remove a device from your account, in the Fitbit app: tap Today tab > Devices > the image for the device you want removed > option to remove device (tap trash icon on Android phones) > follow on-screen instruction to remove from your account

From Fitbit.com: settings icon on dashboard > click the image for the device you want removed > scroll to the bottom and click option to remove device > follow on-screen instructions to remove from your account

Review these directions for exporting your Fitbit data. This can take a few days, depending on the size of your data.

From fitbit.com dashboard: click gear icon > Settings > Data Export > under Export Your Account Archive, click Request Data > Fitbit will email asking to confirm request > Fitbit will then email a link to download account data

Garmin

Garmin's Consumer Product Recycling Program allows you to ship your watch back to them for recycling, but you have to cover the cost of shipping.

You can find your watch’s owner’s manual for instructions on how to wipe your data or perform a master reset. 

Power off the device > press and hold the two right keys > while holding the two right keys, press and release the power key to turn the device on > after the first beep, release the upper right key > after the second beep, release the bottom right key

If you want to export your data, Garmin will send a link to download an export file, which takes 48 hours to 30 days.

Log in to Garmin.com > Account > Manage Your Data > Export Your Data > Request Data Export

Polar

Polar offer steps for turning in your watch for repair, but if it’s recycling you’re after, customers are welcome to send any devices to Polar’s New York service center. Like Garmin, you will need to cover the cost of shipping, but you’ll also need to include a note that indicates it is to be recycled and not repaired. Polar works with a company that recycles their products. Mail to:

Polar Electro Inc. ATTN: TSVC CSVC 15 Grumman Road West, Suite 700 Bethpage, NY 11714

To wipe your data, plug your watch into your computer’s USB port > open the FlowSync software > click settings icon and FACTORY RESET (this will take a moment) > unplug the watch

Review these directions for exporting your Polar Flow data.

Log into account.polar.com > click Download Your Data on the left hand menu or scroll to the bottom of the page > click Download on the right to initiate the request > download the data within two weeks of receiving it in an email

Brands That Direct You to do the Recycling

We reached out to Coros and Suunto, who do not currently offer recycling programs. Instead, they instruct you to recycle your device in accordance with local e-waste regulations. But first, here’s how to erase and export your data.

Coros

Coros may periodically offer a trade-in program (like this one in 2021) and just completed a trade-in pilot program in the U.S., but you'll most likely need to recycle it. Either way, here’s how to reset your Coros watch. 

From the watch: System > More Settings > Reset > Reset All

From the COROS app (when watch is connected): Profile page > tap the watch icon > scroll down and tap "Remove"

If you would like to export your training data, Coros says to email support@coros.com. You will receive a .ZIP file including your training data. 

If you are switching to Coros from another brand, follow these instructions for importing your data. This could take a few hours to complete.

Log in to coros.com > click on Activity List > click Import Data > Select File

Suunto

You can reset your Suunto following these instructions.

For several watches (Suunto 5 Peak, 9 Peak, 9 Peak Pro and Suunto Vertical): Go to the watch’s Settings > select General and scroll to Reset settings > select Reset

Chat with Suunto customer support Monday to Friday 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST (9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Central European Time) for a link to download your full history of activities in a .ZIP file. 

Electronics Recycling

Your city will likely have resources for e-waste that can be found online by searching “what to do with my e-waste." 

Possible options in your area include taking your watch to a landfill that accepts e-waste, hiring a company that offers pick up services (a good opportunity if you have larger e-waste you need to get rid of), or dropping off at a local university, as some provide community e-waste recycling. 

While it’s inconvenient to recycle e-waste, it does keep harmful materials from being released into the environment and allows valuable ones to be reused. Your efforts will be appreciated by people and planet alike.

If Your Watch Is Still Working

Consider giving it to a friend or family member or donating it to an organization like Still I Run, which promotes the benefits of running for mental health. Their Starting Line Scholarship removes barriers to running by providing new runners the gear they need—your old watch could have a second life, getting someone else started on their running journey. Only send watches that can hold a charge for at least 24 hours and are free from scratches that prohibit someone from being able to view the screen. If your watch meets these requirements, you can mail your watch and its charger to: 

PO Box 10 Hudsonville, MI 49426

You can also donate it to your local Goodwill. Just of course be sure to wipe your data or do a factory reset, using the directions above.

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden delivered a sensational performance in Budapest, storming to victory in the women’s 100m at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in a breathtaking 10.62 seconds.

The American produced a superb display of acceleration and composure to claim the World Ultimate Championship title while recording the fastest women’s 100m time in the world this year. Her 10.62 mark underlined her exceptional form and placed her firmly at the top of the global sprinting hierarchy.

Jefferson-Wooden controlled the race through the decisive stages and maintained her form all the way to the finish to secure a statement victory against a field packed with championship pedigree. She crossed the line ahead of Olympic champion Julien Alfred, who clocked 10.74 seconds with a -0.2 m/s wind, while Sha’Carri Richardson took third in 10.76.

Women’s 100m Final

1. Melissa Jefferson-Wooden — 10.62

2. Julien Alfred — 10.74 (-0.2 m/s)

3. Sha’Carri Richardson — 10.76

The victory was especially significant given the quality of the opposition. Jefferson-Wooden held her nerve against Alfred and Richardson, two of the most accomplished sprinters of the current generation, to produce the fastest performance in the world this year when it mattered most.

Alfred once again demonstrated her consistency at the highest level by taking silver, while Richardson completed an all-star podium in a race that brought together three of the biggest names in women’s sprinting.

But beyond the time, the title and the celebration, one of the most touching moments came after the race when Jefferson-Wooden embraced her father, Melvin, in an emotional celebration.

Their moment carried a deeply personal meaning. When Melissa was just 17 years old, she donated her stem cells to help her father undergo a bone marrow transplant after he was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome. Years later, the two shared an unforgettable embrace in Budapest after she had become the World Ultimate Champion.

For Jefferson-Wooden, however, the evening was about far more than a medal. It was the culmination of an extraordinary journey, now highlighted by a world-leading 10.62 seconds on one of the biggest stages in athletics.

With the Ultimate Championship title secured and her father by her side, Jefferson-Wooden leaves Budapest with more than being an ultimate champion. She leaves with momentum, confidence and a powerful statement of intent — turning a high-profile showdown into one of the defining sprint performances of her season.

Audrey Werro has added another major title to her extraordinary season, storming to victory in the women’s 800m at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest.

The Swiss star delivered a commanding performance, taking control from the opening gun and refusing to surrender the lead as she powered through an absorbing battle against two of the biggest names in the event.

Werro stopped the clock at 1:55.88 to become the Ultimate Championships 800m champion, producing another statement performance on one of the sport’s newest and most prestigious stages.

Behind her, Great Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson fought her way to second in 1:56.26, while the Netherlands’ Femke Broeders-Bol completed the podium in 1:56.74.

The result once again brought together the same formidable trio that featured on the podium at the European Championships, but Werro again proved to be the athlete who could rise above the challenge when it mattered most.

Her Budapest triumph is the latest chapter in a season that has already included records, a successful Diamond League Trophy defence and European Championship gold. Now, she can add the Ultimate Championships crown to a growing list of accomplishments.

Werro’s consistency has been particularly impressive in an 800m event packed with elite talent. Rather than simply relying on a fast finish, the Swiss athlete showed her authority by taking the initiative from the beginning and maintaining enough strength and composure to hold off Hodgkinson and Broeders-Bol all the way to the line.

The victory also underlined the remarkable depth of the women’s 800m, with three athletes separated by less than a second at the finish. Hodgkinson’s 1:56.26 and Broeders-Bol’s 1:56.74 showed just how fiercely contested the race was, but Werro’s decision to dictate the pace ultimately gave her the decisive advantage.

For Werro, this was more than another medal. It was another opportunity to demonstrate that her rise is no passing moment. On a stage featuring established champions and elite rivals, she once again produced the performance required to claim the biggest prize.

For Hodgkinson, the silver medal adds another major podium finish, while Broeders-Bol once again demonstrated her ability to compete with the very best over two laps.

But the spotlight in Budapest belonged unmistakably to Werro.

With another championship crown secured, the Swiss star has strengthened her claim as the athlete setting the standard in women’s 800m running. This is Audrey Werro’s era — and the rest of the field is chasing.

Busang Collen Kebinatshipi has delivered another sensational performance, storming to victory in the men’s 400m at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest.

The reigning world champion stopped the clock at an astonishing 43.39 seconds, smashing his own Botswana national record and moving to fifth on the world all-time list.

Kebinatshipi produced a commanding finish to pull away from his rivals and secure the Ultimate Championship title. American star Rai Benjamin finished second in 44.15, while Jereem Richards of Trinidad and Tobago completed the podium in 44.23.

 Men’s 400m

1. Busang Collen Kebinatshipi — 43.39 NR

2. Rai Benjamin — 44.15

3. Jereem Richards — 44.23

The performance is even more remarkable considering that Kebinatshipi had already rewritten the Botswana record just one week ago in Brussels, where he ran 43.40. In Budapest, he lowered that mark by another 0.01 seconds to establish a new national record of 43.39.

That improvement has also propelled the 22-year-old into rare territory. His latest time now ranks him fifth fastest in history over 400m, placing him among an extraordinary group of athletes who have broken the 43.40 barrier.

Kebinatshipi's victory also caps an extraordinary season for the Botswana star. After establishing himself as a global champion, he has continued to demonstrate that he belongs among the very best one-lap runners in the world.

And there is a major reward for his historic night in Budapest: Kebinatshipi walks away as the Ultimate Champion and $150,000 richer.

From another national record to a place among the five fastest 400m runners ever, Kebinatshipi has turned an already remarkable season into something truly special.

Botswana has its latest sprinting superstar — and Kebinatshipi is showing that his ceiling may be even higher than anyone imagined. 

Marileidy Paulino once again proved why she is the undisputed queen of the one-lap event, powering to victory in the women’s 400m at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest.

The Dominican Republic superstar produced a sensational 49.07 seconds to claim gold, pulling decisively away in the final straight and holding off a fiercely competitive field to extend her remarkable unbeaten run.

Paulino delivered her trademark combination of controlled speed and devastating finishing strength. She remained firmly in contention through the opening stages before unleashing her decisive move down the home straight, where she quickly opened a gap on her closest challengers.

Norway’s Henriette Jæger mounted a strong challenge but could not match Paulino’s finishing speed, crossing the line second in an impressive 49.28. Jamaica’s Nickisha Pryce completed the podium after clocking 49.56, ensuring that three of the world’s leading 400m talents occupied the medals.

The result once again underlined Paulino’s extraordinary consistency at the highest level. She entered Budapest as the world leader after running 48.48 in Paris in June, a performance that also set a Diamond League record. She subsequently remained unbeaten throughout her Diamond League campaign, closing the circuit with a meeting-record 48.64 in Brussels.

Budapest has also become a special venue in Paulino’s career. Three years ago, at the same National Athletics Centre, she captured her first individual world title, marking the beginning of another dominant chapter in her career. She later added Olympic gold in Paris in 2024, further establishing herself among the defining 400m athletes of her generation.

The inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship has brought together the sport’s biggest stars in a new winner-takes-the-spotlight format, with Olympic and world champions, Diamond League winners and leading performers competing for ultimate honours.

For Paulino, the occasion once again ended with Ultimate Crown on her arms.

With 49.07 seconds, she did more than win another major 400m title. She delivered another statement of authority, powering through the final straight with the confidence and speed that have made her one of the most dominant figures in modern women’s athletics.

Marileidy Paulino remains unbeaten, remains relentless and, once again, remains the queen of the one lap.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen has made a major decision regarding the remainder of his World Athletics Ultimate Championship campaign, confirming that he will withdraw from the men’s 1500m in Budapest despite producing a sensational performance to win the 5,000m title.

The Norwegian superstar stormed to victory in the inaugural Ultimate Championship 5,000m on Friday night, clocking a season-best 12:59.24 and delivering a devastating finishing kick to defeat Olympic 5,000m champion Cole Hocker and American Parker Wolfe.

Ingebrigtsen’s final 100 metres was arguably the defining moment of the race. The Olympic champion produced a remarkable 12.60-second closing 100m, powering away from the field to secure the $150,000 winner’s prize and underline just how far his fitness has progressed since returning from Achilles surgery.

The victory was particularly significant after what has been an extremely difficult period for the 25-year-old. Earlier in the season, Ingebrigtsen faced serious uncertainty over whether he would even be able to compete at the highest level again. His return has gradually gathered momentum, and his performance in Budapest offered perhaps the clearest indication yet that the Norwegian is rediscovering his formidable racing ability.

But rather than risk pushing his recovering body further, Ingebrigtsen has now opted to step away from the 1500m.

The decision means the highly anticipated showdown with British rival Josh Kerr will not take place in Budapest after all. The two stars had been expected to renew one of the biggest rivalries in modern middle-distance running in the 1500m final.

Instead, Ingebrigtsen is looking beyond the immediate opportunity and towards the bigger picture.

“I’m thinking about 2027… Fitness cannot be faked,” the Norwegian said, signalling that protecting his long-term condition has become more important than chasing another major victory only days after his return to peak-level competition.

The decision comes just one week after an emotionally charged Diamond League Final in Brussels, where Ingebrigtsen finished fourth in the 1500m behind Australia’s Cameron Myers, Kenya’s Phanuel Kipkosgei Koech and American Ethan Strand.

After that race, Ingebrigtsen delivered a fiery assessment of his rivals and questioned the tactics surrounding the pacemaking, particularly involving Hocker. He later acknowledged that there had been “a little too much adrenaline and emotion” when microphones were placed in front of him immediately after the race.

Yet his latest decision shows that beneath the emotion and competitive intensity lies a longer-term strategy.

Ingebrigtsen has already demonstrated that he can compete at an elite level again. His 12:59.24 in Budapest was not simply a victory — it was a statement that the Norwegian remains capable of producing a world-class finish even after months of injury rehabilitation.

Now, however, he is choosing not to gamble with that progress.

For a runner who has spent much of the year fighting his way back from injury, another 1500m race could have offered enormous rewards but also carried unnecessary risk. By withdrawing, Ingebrigtsen is effectively prioritising longevity over one more opportunity for immediate glory.

His message is clear: the comeback is underway, but it will not be rushed.

The 5,000m victory has given Ingebrigtsen confidence, momentum and perhaps, most importantly, proof that his body can once again handle elite competition.

Now comes the harder part — knowing when to stop.

With 2027 already firmly in his sights, the Norwegian has chosen recovery over risk. And after everything he has endured, that could ultimately prove to be one of the most important decisions of his comeback.

Jakob Ingebrigtsen is not walking away from the sport. He is protecting his future in it.