This notice explains what information The Running Man in Blue collects about you, why, where it is kept and how long for. The Running Man in Blue is run by Gareth Cooke, who is responsible for your information. If you have any questions, email Gareth@therunningmaninblue.co.uk.

What I collect

When you enquire about coaching: your name, email address, the race or goal you are working towards, how you heard about me and anything else you choose to tell me.

When you fill in the coaching onboarding form: your contact details, date of birth, gender, height and weight, heart rate figures, the watch you use, your running history, recent races, goals and the days you can train. The form also asks about your health: medical conditions, medication that affects heart rate, and current or past injuries.

When you buy a training plan: your name, email address, billing details and what you bought. Card payments are handled by the payment provider. I never see or store your card number.

When you sign up to emails: your name and email address.

Why I use it

• To reply to your enquiry and talk to you about coaching.
• To plan your training safely and set your pace and heart rate zones.
• To deliver training plans you have bought, and keep the records the law requires.
• To send you emails you have signed up for. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Health information

Health details are special category information under UK data protection law, so I only collect them with your clear consent, which you give by ticking the consent box on the onboarding form. They are used only to make sure your training is safe. They are kept in my secure website account, seen only by your coach, and are never put in spreadsheets or emails. You can withdraw your consent at any time by emailing me, although I may then be unable to coach you safely.

The legal basis

• Coaching and plan purchases: to carry out the agreement between us.
• Enquiries: my legitimate interest in replying to people who contact me.
• Health information and marketing emails: your consent.
• Order records: legal obligation.

Where it is kept

Your information is kept in my website (hosted by WordPress.com), and a limited summary is kept in a private spreadsheet in Microsoft OneDrive. Make.com moves details from the website to that spreadsheet. If you are coached, your training is set up in TrainingPeaks. Purchases go through WooCommerce and the payment provider you choose, and emails are sent through Brevo. These services act on my instructions and some may store data outside the UK, with the safeguards UK law requires.

I never sell your information or share it with anyone for their own marketing.

How long I keep it

• Health information is deleted when coaching ends.
• Other coaching records are deleted 12 months after coaching ends, unless you ask me to delete them sooner.
• Enquiries that do not lead to coaching are deleted after 12 months.
• Order records are kept for six years, as required for tax.

Your rights

You can ask to see the information I hold about you, ask me to correct it or delete it, object to how I use it, or ask for a copy to take elsewhere. Just email me and I will reply within one month. If you are unhappy with how I have handled your information, you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office at ico.org.uk.

Last updated October 2026.