Garmin 255 - timer continues after target reached/workout completed. Why doesn't it stop automatically?

I've tried creating a custom 5K workout - unfortunately the timer still continues after the 'Workout completed' message is presented by the watch. Having a watch that can time a 5K run was actually the main reason for upgrading from my ancient Forerunner 610. Now I have a 255, which allows me to set a 5K target...but is seemingly incapable of automatically stopping the timer at the end of the workout. Very disappointing.

Why do you need to stop your activity at exactly five kilometers? Neither I nor Garmin can understand this. Use the lap button to mark your aim if you don't like autolap.

The reason is that I’ve configured a 5K workout. Obviously I want the timer to stop at 5K - which is when the watch tells me that I’ve completed the workout. Having to press stop at the end of a sprint when the watch knows that I’ve finished the run doesn’t seem logical - and results in a measured run that is slightly over 5K. I think that anybody could understand this requirement.

The reason for stopping the timer at the end of the specified distance is the same reason as why timers are stopped when athletes have run the specified distance in all track events, worldwide.

IIRC, back in the day (like 10 years ago or more on my 310XT), the watch would do exactly that. If you set a workout for 5k, at the 5k mark the device would stop recording. There were complaints from many that preferred it kept going and only alert at the end of the workout that it's finished. People were annoyed that the entire activity was not getting recorded.

Surely it should be optional then - particularly if you’ve created a custom workout that specifies the exact distance.

I’ve been reading around this forum and a lot of people are clearly frustrated by the current behaviour.

At least I can still return the watch to Amazon.

Garmin - please add an option to stop the timer when the workout is complete.

Thanks - much appreciated. I’ll do so.

I actually like the current behavior.

I usually have my workout set up by time, not by distance. That means that it's quite hard to predict where my workout ends - sometimes I need another 2 (or 5) minutes to get to where my home/car is.

Each stage of the workout is saved as a lap. So once you finish your workout you can check the laps section in the activity to see your time for each of the specified workout sections.

I can understand why some people might like the current behaviour - but if you’ve set a specific distance you would expect the timer to stop at that point. Or at least - offer that option.

I've submitted a feature request to Garmin - hopefully they'll listen and make this behaviour optional - particularly for custom workouts of a specific distance or workouts with a distance target.

I'm definitely not alone on this. I've spoken to fellow runners at work. Responses range from not liking the current functionality to being indifferent about it. Nobody was in favour of the timer continuing as it does for fixed distance workouts. That said, we're only talking about a handful of individuals. Views no doubt differ across the board - but it would be very much appreciated if Garmin would offer users the option of stopping the timer automatically at the end of a workout.