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Using the Virtual Run Feature

Select Garmin watches can be paired with compatible third-party apps, such as Zwift, via Bluetooth® to transmit pace, heart rate, and cadence data by using the Virtual Run activity profile. You can use this feature with the internal sensors in the watch, or when your watch is paired with external sensors such as a heart rate monitor or foot pod.

NOTE: If the third-party app is linked as a connected app in your Garmin Connect™ settings, and you save the Virtual Run activity on your watch, it will result in duplicate activities on your Garmin Connect account.

Which Watches Have the Virtual Run Feature?

Select the following to reveal a list of watches that supports this feature.

Compatible Watch List

NOTE: This feature will only be available if your software is up to date (see Installing the Latest Software On Your Fitness Device).

  • D2™ Mach 1 | D2™ Mach 1 Pro

  • Descent™ G1 | Descent™ G1 Solar | Descent™ G1 Solar - Ocean Edition

  • Descent™ G2

  • Descent™ Mk2 | Descent™ Mk2i | Descent™ Mk2S

  • Descent™ Mk3 | Descent™ Mk3i

  • Enduro™ 

  • Enduro™ 2

  • Enduro™ 3

  • epix™ (Gen 2) | epix™ (Gen 2) Sapphire | epix™ (Gen 2) Porsche Edition

  • epix™ Pro (Gen 2) Standard Editions | epix™ Pro (Gen 2) Sapphire Editions

  • fēnix® 6 - Standard Edition | fēnix® 6 - Solar Edition | fēnix® 6 - Pro and Sapphire Editions | fēnix® 6 - Pro Solar Edition

  • fēnix® 6S - Standard Edition | fēnix® 6S - Solar Edition | fēnix® 6S - Pro and Sapphire Editions | fēnix® 6S - Pro Solar Edition

  • fēnix® 6X - Pro and Sapphire Editions | fēnix® 6X - Pro Solar Edition

  • fēnix® 7 - Standard Edition | fēnix® 7 - Solar Edition | fēnix® 7 - Sapphire Solar Edition

  • fēnix® 7S - Standard Edition | fēnix® 7S - Solar Edition | fēnix® 7S - Sapphire Solar Edition

  • fēnix® 7X - Solar Edition | fēnix® 7X - Sapphire Solar Edition

  • fēnix® 7 Pro - Solar Edition | fēnix® 7 Pro - Sapphire Solar Edition

  • fēnix® 7S Pro - Solar Edition | fēnix® 7S Pro - Sapphire Solar Edition

  • fēnix® 7X Pro - Solar Edition | fēnix® 7X Pro - Sapphire Solar Edition

  • fēnix® 8 - AMOLED Edition | fēnix® 8 - Solar Edition

  • fēnix® E

  • Forerunner® 55

  • Forerunner® 165 | Forerunner® 165 Music

  • Forerunner® 245 | Forerunner® 245 Music

  • Forerunner® 255 and all other models in the Forerunner 255 series.

  • Forerunner® 265 | Forerunner® 265S

  • Forerunner® 745

  • Forerunner® 945 | Forerunner® 945 LTE

  • Forerunner® 955 | Forerunner® 955 Solar

  • Forerunner® 965

  • Instinct® 2 - Standard Edition | Instinct® 2 - Camo Edition | Instinct® 2 - Surf Edition | Instinct® 2 - dēzl Edition

  • Instinct® 2 Solar | Instinct® 2 Solar - Tactical Edition | Instinct® 2 Solar - Surf Edition

  • Instinct® 2S - Standard Edition | Instinct® 2S - Camo Edition | Instinct® 2S - Surf Edition

  • Instinct® 2S Solar | Instinct® 2S Solar - Surf Edition

  • Instinct® 2X Solar | Instinct® 2X Solar - Tactical Edition

  • Instinct® 3 - AMOLED | Instinct® 3 - Solar

  • Instinct® E

  • Instinct® Crossover | Instinct® Crossover Solar | Instinct® Crossover Solar Tactical Edition

  • MARQ® Adventurer | MARQ® Athlete | MARQ® Aviator | MARQ® Captain | MARQ® Commander | MARQ® Driver | MARQ® Expedition | MARQ® Golfer

  • MARQ® Adventurer (Gen 2) | MARQ® Athlete (Gen 2) | MARQ® Aviator (Gen 2) | MARQ® Captain (Gen 2) | MARQ® Golfer (Gen 2)

  • MARQ® Adventurer (Gen 2) - Damascus Steel Edition | MARQ® Athlete (Gen 2) - Carbon Edition | MARQ® Athlete (Gen 2) - Performance Edition | MARQ® Commander (Gen 2) - Carbon Edition | MARQ® Golfer (Gen 2) - Carbon Edition

  • tactix® 7 - AMOLED | tactix® 7 Standard Edition | tactix® 7 Pro Edition | tactix® 7 Pro Ballistics Edition

  • tactix® 8 - AMOLED | tactix® 8 - Solar

  • tactix®  Delta - Sapphire Edition | tactix® Delta - Solar Edition | tactix® Delta Solar Edition with Ballistics

How Do I Record a Virtual Run?

The video below will walk you through the steps to record a virtual run:

Alternatively, you can follow the steps outlined below:

  1. Select START/STOP > Virtual Run.

  2. On your tablet, laptop, or smartphone, open the Zwift app or another virtual training app.

  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to start a running activity and pair the devices.

  4. On the watch, select START to start the activity timer.

  5. After you complete your run, select START/STOP to stop the activity timer on the watch.

What Can I Do if My Recorded Distance Is Wrong?

When running indoors on a treadmill, the final distance reported from your watch may not match what is displayed on the treadmill. This can be caused by the make, model, or calibration of the treadmill. If the watch has detected a distance of at least 1 mile or 1.5 kilometers, it will have an option to 'Save and Calibrate' when you stop the activity timer on the watch. After selecting ‘Save and Calibrate’ the watch allows you to input the distance reported by the treadmill. This will calibrate the watch to improve the distance accuracy for future runs at a similar pace. This feature will not correct or adjust any lap data that was recorded during the activity prior to calibrating (pace/speed per lap, average heart rate per lap, calories per lap, etc.), nor will it correct or adjust the data that has already been recorded in any virtual training app.

NOTE: This feature is only for calibrating the accelerometer in the watch. The option to 'Save and Calibrate' will not be available if you are using a foot pod (for foot pod calibration see How Do I Calibrate the Foot Pod?).

Do Virtual Run Activities Count Towards Training Status, Training Effect, or VO2 Max?

Virtual Run activities recorded on your watch can produce a Training Effect and contribute towards Training Load as well as your Training Status. However, these activities will not be able to populate a Training Status if you do not already have one, nor can they provide a VO2 max estimate. To obtain a VO2 max estimate, runs must be recorded outdoors with GPS tracking and heart rate data.

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