We use artificial intelligence (AI) as a working tool when we produce content for newzealand-marathon.co.nz, and we would rather say so plainly than leave readers guessing. AI helps us research and draft. A human editor checks, corrects and approves every page before it is published.
How we use AI
Our main tool is Claude, an AI assistant developed by Anthropic. We use it for three kinds of work:
- Research support. Gathering background on an event, a distance or a piece of gear, and pointing us to sources worth checking.
- Structure. Suggesting how to organise a guide so the most useful information comes first.
- First drafts. Producing a working draft that the editor then rewrites and verifies.
AI is a starting point for us, never the final word. It can state things confidently that turn out to be wrong or out of date, which matters a great deal on a site where race dates, course details and cut-off times change every year.
Our human editing
Every text goes through the same steps before it reaches the site.
- Checking facts against primary sources. Dates, distances, course descriptions, entry details and records are compared with official event websites, governing bodies and other original sources.
- Correcting and removing. Anything we cannot confirm is corrected or taken out.
- Improving the language. We rewrite for clarity and for New Zealand readers, and explain running terms a newcomer may not know.
- Adding context. We add the practical detail and local knowledge a draft is missing.
- Making sure the text is our own. We do not publish copied material.
Why we are open about it
Readers are entitled to know how the content they rely on is made. Being open about our process lets you judge our guides for yourself and hold us to the standard we describe here.
It also matches how search engines assess content. Google’s guidance is that content should be helpful, reliable and written for people, however it is produced. That is the standard we work to, with or without AI.
Fact-checking and responsibility
The editor reviews all content before publication and is responsible for it. Using AI does not move that responsibility anywhere else. If a page is wrong, the error is ours to fix.
We update pages when the facts change, for example when an event announces a new date, alters its course, changes its entry fees or is cancelled. Even so, details can change faster than we can update them, so confirm anything important with the event organiser before you enter or travel.
Our content is information, not advice
What we publish is general information for runners and people interested in running events.
- It is not medical or training advice. Training plans, pace charts and calculators are general guides. Speak to a doctor or other qualified health professional before starting or changing a training programme, particularly if you have a health condition or an injury.
- It is not gambling advice. A small number of articles refer to sports betting. They describe how something works and do not encourage anyone to bet. Gambling content is meant only for adults aged 18 and over, and our responsible gambling page explains where to find free support.
Found an error?
If you spot something that is wrong or out of date, please tell us through our contact page, ideally with a link to the page concerned. We check every report and correct confirmed errors as quickly as we can.
You can read more about who we are on our About us page.