Cookie Policy

This page explains what cookies and local storage we use on this site, why we use them, and how you can control them.

What are cookies?

A cookie is a small text file saved on your device by a website. It lets the site remember information about your visit — such as your preferences — so you don't have to re-enter them each time.

Local storage

In addition to cookies, this site uses browser local storage — a similar technology that saves small pieces of data directly in your browser. Unlike cookies, local storage data is never automatically sent to our servers.

We store two categories of data in local storage, for different reasons and with different retention periods:

Functional storage — no consent required

These items are strictly necessary to provide features you have explicitly used. They are saved the moment you interact with that feature — regardless of your analytics choice — because without them the calculator cannot remember your inputs between page visits. They are never transmitted to us or any third party, and they contain no information that could identify you.

  • theme-preferenceYour chosen colour theme (light or dark). Retained until you clear browser data.
  • calories-weightYour body weight (kg) entered in the calorie estimator. Retained until you clear browser data. Stored only on your device; the exact value is never transmitted anywhere — if analytics are accepted, only a coarse weight range is logged (see analytics events below).
  • calories-distanceThe distance you last selected in the calorie estimator. Retained until you clear browser data.
  • training-duration-minsYour preferred training session duration. Retained until you clear browser data.
  • training-daysYour preferred number of training days per week. Retained until you clear browser data.
  • pace-targetYour goal race time and distance. Retained until you clear browser data.
  • custom-racesAny custom race distances you have added. Retained until you clear browser data.

Consent storage — expires after 12 months

These two items record your analytics choice. After 12 months we consider your consent stale, clear both items, and show the banner again so you can review and renew your decision — in line with ICO guidance on the appropriate lifetime of analytics consent.

  • cp-agree-v1Your analytics consent choice: Y (accepted) or N (declined). Expires after 12 months.
  • cp-agree-tsThe timestamp of your consent decision, used to enforce the 12-month expiry. Expires after 12 months.

Clearing your browser's local storage at any time will reset all of the above — your preferences will return to defaults and the analytics consent banner will reappear.

Analytics cookies

With your consent, we use Google Firebase Analytics to understand how visitors use the site — for example, which features are used most. No analytics cookies are set until you explicitly click Accept analytics in the banner. You can decline by clicking Reject analytics — no analytics cookies will be set and no usage data will be collected.

What analytics data is collected

If you accept, the following interactions are logged. No personal data or information that could identify you is included in any event.

  • select_paceWhen you change pace — records the pace unit (min/km or min/mile) and the pace value selected.
  • pace_target_changeWhen you change the goal-pace distance — records the distance label (e.g. "Marathon").
  • pace_target_applyWhen you apply a goal pace to the calculator — records the resulting pace and distance.
  • customise_races_openWhen you open the race-distance customiser. No additional data.
  • share_paceWhen you share a pace link — records the pace, unit, and sharing method (native share or clipboard).
  • calories_weight_changeWhen you commit a weight value in the calorie estimator — records only a range bucket (e.g. "60_to_80"), never your exact weight.
  • faq_toggleWhen you expand a FAQ item — records the question text.
  • pace_band_actionWhen you switch between pace band tabs or print — records the action type and race distance.
  • session_suggestWhen you reveal today's suggested training session — records the day of the week and session type (e.g. "tempo"). No personal data is included.

First-party cookies

The consent record (cp-agree-v1) stores your choice — Y if you accepted analytics or N if you declined. This is strictly necessary: it prevents the consent banner from reappearing on every visit and ensures analytics are only enabled when you have agreed.

Third-party cookies

If you accept analytics, Google Firebase may set its own cookies to measure site usage. These cookies are subject to Google's Privacy Policy. No other third-party cookies are used on this site.

Controlling cookies and local storage

You can clear cookies and local storage at any time through your browser settings. Clearing local storage will reset all saved preferences (theme, weight, training settings, custom races). Clearing cookies will remove your consent record and the analytics consent banner will reappear.

For browser-specific instructions visit:

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. Any changes will be reflected by the "Last updated" date above. Continued use of the site after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.