The Fusion of Innovation and Athletics
On January 5, 2026, a groundbreaking partnership was announced between the dsm-firmenich running team, home to marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge, and Huawei. This collaboration aims to elevate the world of running by integrating advanced technology with athletic performance. As Huawei's official technology partner, the dsm-firmenich team, renowned for being one of the strongest running teams globally, seeks to enhance the spirit of running and promote smarter training methods. Alex Huang, the marketing director of Huawei Consumer Business Group, emphasized, "By combining Huawei's expertise in smart wearables with the team's extensive performance knowledge, we aim to provide valuable insights that will benefit elite athletes and runners of all levels around the globe."
Eliud Kipchoge: A Living Legend
Kipchoge's career has become synonymous with excellence in running. His iconic achievement of completing a marathon in under two hours—1 hour, 59 minutes, and 40 seconds—redefined the limits of human capability and embodied his belief that “man knows no bounds.” For Kipchoge, running isn't exclusive to the elite; it's a universal activity that everyone can enjoy regardless of age or distance goals. He believes that running is synonymous with freedom and health, and that it fosters unity among people. Consequently, the next chapter of Eliud's career focuses on building a global movement of runners.
In pursuit of spreading this universal passion for running, Kipchoge sought a technologically advanced and globally influential partner. Huawei emerged as the perfect choice, boasting over 12 years of leadership in health and fitness technology, with more than 200 million wearable devices shipped worldwide by June 2025. Huawei's commitment to innovation and its extensive user community make it a natural fit for this collaboration, as the company's cutting-edge solutions will provide Kipchoge and his team with invaluable data, such as precise training metrics and scientific load evaluations, enabling elite runners to push boundaries and redefine possibilities.
Unveiling the Next-Generation Running Watch
A remarkable aspect of this partnership is the anticipated launch of Huawei's next-generation professional running watch, marking the brand's return to this competitive arena five years after the introduction of the first Huawei WATCH GT Runner in 2021. During this interval, Huawei significantly enhanced its technological edge through the TruSense system, which promises unparalleled accuracy, responsiveness, and sophistication in health and fitness tracking. The Sunflower location-determining system represents a quantum leap in positional accuracy. Rigorous testing involving over 100 runners has ensured that performance predictions surpass a 97% accuracy rate, while a machine-learning model for assessing fatigue empowers athletes to train more thoughtfully.
Elite runners like Kipchoge and Joshua Cheptegei will lend credibility by sharing real training and racing insights, which will lead to iterative improvements in algorithms and features to create devices that genuinely resonate with runners' needs. These state-of-the-art running watches aim to address a persistent market challenge: bridging the gap between top-tier functionality and user-friendly design. Unlike most existing models tailored solely for elite runners—offering overly complex features that can overwhelm casual users—Huawei leverages its vast expertise in 3C technology to provide a versatile solution. This smartwatch is crafted to meet the demanding needs of seasoned athletes while remaining accessible to beginners, thus serving the wider population as a comprehensive health management tool.
By removing barriers and seamlessly connecting high-performance athletics with accessible health tracking, Huawei aims to allow anyone passionate about living life to the fullest to experience the joy and vitality of running. This partnership promises not only to redefine the running experience but also to inspire millions to embrace an active lifestyle with cutting-edge technology.