Spectate1. Who provides SpectateMe
SpectateMe is provided by Stephen Hopkins, a sole trader registered in England and Wales (“we”, “us”, or “SpectateMe”). By downloading or using the SpectateMe app, you (“you” or “the user”) agree to these Terms of Service.
If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use the app.
2. What SpectateMe does
SpectateMe is a race-day companion app. It allows runners taking part in races (such as half marathons, marathons, and ultra-distance events) to share their live GPS location with friends and family who have joined their session, and to receive an alert when a supporter is nearby on the course.
SpectateMe is a convenience tool designed to help a runner and their supporters find each other in the crowd on race day. It is not, and is not intended to be, a safety device, emergency system, or substitute for good judgement at a race.
SpectateMe is designed and supported for one purpose: helping a runner and their supporters spot each other on the course. We do not recommend or support its use for training runs, solo activity, general location sharing, or any personal safety purpose. If you need a tracking or safety solution for activity outside of races, please use a dedicated app or device suited to that purpose.
3. Safety — please read this
SpectateMe is not a safety system
SpectateMe relies on GPS signal, mobile data coverage, battery life, and other factors that may not be available at all times during a race. Alerts may be delayed, inaccurate, or not delivered at all. Do not rely on SpectateMe to locate someone in an emergency, to confirm a runner’s welfare, or as your primary means of communication at a race event.
You use SpectateMe entirely at your own risk. It is a best-effort convenience tool, not a reliable communications channel.
You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of those around you at race events. SpectateMe does not replace the race organisers’ safety procedures, marshals, medical teams, or official communications. If you are concerned about a runner’s welfare, contact race organisers or emergency services — do not rely on the app.
Always prioritise your personal safety over any app. Before running an event, ensure you have appropriate provisions for your distance and conditions — including emergency contact plans that do not depend on SpectateMe or any single app. If you have safety requirements beyond finding supporters on a race course, use purpose-built equipment such as an emergency beacon, a dedicated personal safety app, or a GPS device designed for that purpose.
4. Your account
SpectateMe uses Google Sign-In for authentication. You must have a valid Google account to use the app. You are responsible for maintaining the security of your Google account.
You may only have one SpectateMe account per Google account. Accounts are personal and may not be transferred or shared.
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms.
5. Acceptable use
SpectateMe must be used for its intended purpose: sharing location between consenting participants during running events. You must not use SpectateMe to:
- Track, monitor, or follow any person without their knowledge and explicit consent.
- Stalk, harass, intimidate, or harm any individual.
- Share your session link or session code with anyone who has not consented to being located.
- Attempt to interfere with, reverse engineer, or circumvent the app or our infrastructure.
- Use the app in any way that violates applicable law.
- Use SpectateMe as a general-purpose location tracker, personal safety tool, or for any purpose other than helping a runner and their supporters find each other at a race.
- Rely on SpectateMe as a substitute for appropriate safety equipment, emergency communication devices, or purpose-built personal safety applications.
All location sharing in SpectateMe is session-based and initiated by the runner. Spectators only see a runner’s location within an active, consented session. Please use SpectateMe responsibly and only for its intended purpose.
6. Subscription and payments
Free tier (spectators)
Joining a session as a spectator is free. No payment is required to view a runner’s location or pin your location for them.
Runner subscription
Starting a session as a runner and broadcasting your location requires an active runner subscription. Subscriptions are billed annually through Google Play and are subject to Google Play’s payment terms. The current price is shown in the app and in the Google Play Store listing.
Free trial
A 30-day free trial is available for first-time runner accounts. One free trial per person. Trials may not be obtained by deleting and re-creating an account (see our Privacy Policy for how we enforce this).
Gifted access
We may grant runner access to specific accounts at our discretion (for example, to friends, testers, or race organisers). This access is non-transferable and may be revoked at any time.
Refunds
Subscription payments are processed by Google Play. Refund requests are subject to Google Play’s refund policy. We are unable to issue refunds directly.
Price changes
We may change subscription prices at any time. Existing subscribers will be notified before any price change takes effect and will have the option to cancel before the new price applies.
7. Availability and changes to the service
We aim to keep SpectateMe available, particularly during weekends when races typically take place. However, we do not guarantee uninterrupted availability. We may update, modify, or discontinue features at any time.
If we discontinue SpectateMe entirely, we will provide reasonable notice and, where applicable, a pro-rated refund for any unused subscription period.
8. Intellectual property
The SpectateMe app, its code, design, and content are owned by Stephen Hopkins. Nothing in these terms transfers any intellectual property rights to you. You may use the app for its intended purpose only.
9. Limitation of liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law:
- SpectateMe is provided “as is” without warranties of any kind, express or implied.
- We are not liable for any failure of the app to function as expected, including missed proximity alerts, inaccurate location data, or connectivity issues.
- We are not liable for any loss, injury, or harm arising from your use of or reliance on SpectateMe at a race event or otherwise.
- Our total liability to you for any claim arising out of or relating to SpectateMe will not exceed the amount you have paid us in the 12 months preceding the claim.
Nothing in these terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, or for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, as required by law.
If you are a consumer, you may have statutory rights that cannot be excluded. These terms do not affect those rights.
10. Privacy
Your use of SpectateMe is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which explains what personal data we collect, why we collect it, and how you can delete it.
11. Changes to these terms
We may update these terms from time to time. The “last updated” date at the top of this page shows when changes were last made. If changes are material, we will notify users through the app. Continued use of SpectateMe after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.
12. Governing law
These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising from these terms or your use of SpectateMe will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
If you are a consumer resident in another jurisdiction, you may also have rights under the laws of your home country that cannot be waived by this clause.
13. Contact us
Questions about these terms:
- Email: hello@spectateme.co.uk