Editorial policy

How a page earns its place

We begin with a reader's decision and check whether an existing article, hub, reference, or tool already serves it. A new or refreshed page should have a distinct purpose, explain what the reader can do next, and add practical value through a clear comparison, decision framework, worked example, or useful synthesis. Search visibility is not a reason to publish a duplicate page or expand content without a reader need.

How we research

We choose sources to match the claim. Governing bodies and the event organiser are the starting points for rules and race arrangements; peer-reviewed research and qualified professional organizations support health and nutrition coverage; and primary manufacturer documentation supports product specifications and limits. A source should directly support the statement beside it, with its date, region, population, event edition, and other limits made clear when those details affect the answer.

We distinguish sourced facts from estimates, common practice, opinion, and calculations made from stated inputs. Examples use explicit assumptions and are not presented as a real athlete's case history unless the page has evidence and permission to do so. If a claim cannot be checked to an appropriate source, we narrow it, label uncertainty, or leave it out.

Authors, reviewers, and experience

A byline identifies the person or editorial organization responsible for the page. It does not imply credentials that are not shown on the linked profile. A named reviewer should have a verified identity, relevant credentials, consent to publication, and a clear review scope. We do not present the editorial team as a professional reviewer, and we do not add reviewer markup when no documented reviewer is responsible.

Personal race experience can explain what an author encountered; it does not establish a universal training, health, nutrition, or product claim. We distinguish research-based product comparisons from documented hands-on testing. Meet Lotte and the editorial team to understand the scope of those bylines.

How we use AI

Automation may assist with research organization, drafting, formatting, or quality checks. It is not treated as evidence. Material facts must be checked against appropriate sources, and content is not published merely to capture search variations.

Product coverage

Unless a page names a tester and explains the test protocol, product comparisons are research-based rather than hands-on reviews. They use documented specifications, compatibility information, intended use, maintenance needs, and clearly stated evaluation criteria. Prices, availability, and product versions are dated and regional where relevant. Affiliate relationships do not determine conclusions; see the affiliate disclosure for how commercial links are identified.

Health and training limitations

Our calculators and general guidance are planning aids, not diagnoses or individualized prescriptions. We avoid presenting a training load, fluid or sodium amount, carbohydrate target, supplement, or performance outcome as safe or appropriate for everyone. Symptoms, medical conditions, pregnancy, medications, eating concerns, injury, and extreme-environment risks should be discussed with an appropriately qualified clinician, sports dietitian, or coach.

Updates, dates, and changing facts

We revisit claims when their subject can change, such as event rules and schedules, course details, prices, product specifications, and safety guidance. The visible update date and sitemap date are changed after a substantive page review; they are not used to relabel the date of a study, event edition, or first publication. Readers should follow the current organiser or manufacturer information for final decisions.

Updates and accountability

We review reports against the page, underlying source, event edition, or product model involved. Material errors are corrected, and the page is updated when the correction changes its meaning. Read the corrections policy or send the page URL and relevant evidence through contact. The About page explains who this playbook serves and how to use its different formats.