Originally Posted by
cheli007 The app on the watch (or any third party apps for that matter) does not use GPS from the watch. Has to come from the phone. Not sure if Apple doesn't allow it or the running apps just haven't updated yet.
The Apple Watch, Maps, and Workout DO use GPS if the phone isn't present. This is to save the battery life of the Watch. If you have two GPS radios, no need to use them both, use the one with the big battery. So if you run without the phone, you're using the Watch's GPS. Third party apps have to be updated to use the Watch's GPS but that their responsibility.
As I understand it, the Workout app will give you some information about your workout. When done with a run, get the phone and check the Activity app for a more detailed report.