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Wearing headphones in races
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I have been training for the New Forest Marathon using bone conducting headphones as listening to music actual slows and regulates my pace (also I get updates from Garmin as to lap time and average pace). I have not found any problem with the sound quality and if the volume is kept to a reasonable level you can hear everything that goes on around you.
As a side note the New Forest Marathon is sponsored by Aftershhokz, you are allowed headphones on the off road sections, but are permitted bone conduction ones for the entire route. The Southampton Half Marathon I did in April which is closed roads stated that headphones could be used if you were not going for a podium finish.
Wearing headphones does distance you from your immediate environment: I've scared the crap out of other runners wearing headphones simply by overtaking them when training. And when exactly, did it become vital that we had a soundtrack going the whole time, regardless of what we are doing?
If you are in a race, concentrate on that, and maybe interact with fellow runners a bit.
The comment regarding engage with runners around you, I've been caught by Mr Chatty before during a race - never again.
As for the Brighton incident mentioned. What headphones were they that cancelled out the sound of blues and twos? Or is it another opportune photo that doesn't tell the whole story?
Now I will check policy before entering a race, any mention of disqualifying me then I'll keep my money instead of paying the ever rising entry fees. I don't need their race, but their race needs runners.
That's fine Stu. Their race doesn't need runners who need headphones and music.
stuebbs- honestly- trying to squeeze past head-phone wearers is difficult and annoying, and the poor marshalls ( especially those on a bike) must get sick of yelling at them- I've spent a lot of time at races fruitlessly trying to warn headphoners about an oncoming hazard- be it bicycle, ambulance, pot hole, or "road furniture"( watching people collide with a bollard at top speed after you've been warned about it is one of the things that brings out my natural tendency to schadenfreude..........I know one shouldn't laugh, but hey!)
As you say- check the policy, and if the most important part of your race day is the music, then don't enter the race. The social interaction on race day is enjoyable for many, I appreciate that not all like it, but at least it distracts from the "monotonous" sound of footsteps!
If Mr Chatty is bothering you, stop and tie your shoelaces, dive behind the bushes for a quick toilet stop, or sprint away from him!
Enjoy your tunes.
Go read the threads!
Seems weird to me, but I wonder where the rules stand on those...?
Anyone who is not running for a prize is now allowed to wear headphones.
If you do wear headphones PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE be considerate to your fellow runners.'
http://www.greatermanchestermarathon.com/athlete-info/general-info/
Well yes, because people wearing headphones tend to shout
By their actions we know them.
Music is a side issue to the fact that these people are prepared to break rules in the face of those who stick to them. Lets expand that. The rule breakers are quite likely to be cheats and stroke pullers, it's look out for number one, and at your expense.
Yes they are only wearing headphones, it's not actually illegal. But neither is masturbation. Do that in a race and see what happens.
🙂
For those campaigning for the unrestricted right to wear headphones in a race I would simply ask you to volunteer to complete the Risk Assessment that any Race Director has to do, sign off on it, and assume personal liability for any accident that ensues - see pages 10-14 of the RunBritain Road Race Handbook
Simples..............
There is no rule banning headphones except for the elites who are racing for prizes.
Clearly the rule book has been misinterpreted by some race Directors.
"My bad"
Manchester are referring to Run Britain rather than UKA perhaps that is where the disparity lies. One organisation saying one thing the other saying something different!
This is the rule, but I suspect Manchester is run on closed roads?
RULE 240 S 5 UKA SUPPLEMENT – HEADPHONES
The wearing of headphones, or similar devices, (other than those medically
prescribed), is not permitted in races on any single carriageway road that is not
wholly closed to traffic. This restriction does not apply to races held on dual
carriageways provided that there are clear, structured separations between the
separate carriageways. Competition Providers of races held entirely on roads
closed to traffic may apply this condition where appropriate to local circumstances
Hi shades, roads are closed except for some dual carriageways where the opposite side of the road would remain open.
Reading the rules: - it is clear that there is not a blanket ban of headphones in all races, it is merely those where the single carriageway roads are not entirely closed off.
If a race allows headphones that dissuades me from wanting to run that race, IMHO I then consider that race to be a sort of charity fun run. I hope UKA will put in a blanket ban soon. Unfortunately we will probably have to wait for a fatality before that happens.
Hi shades, Dirk_Gently (and others) wrote that headphones were banned from all uka events. Nevertheless, I personally think it is poor form to have the music so loud that you cant hear the surroundings. personally I wear them but keep the volume to half way so that way I can hear my surroundings. the music is something for me to focus on.
I've been tripped up, almost knocked over by these inconsiderate beginners. I never speak to runners in a race wearing headphones except to curse at them when they get in the way and if it's in a race where headphones are banned I do tell them that fact, most just shrug and don't care. If they don't remove the headphones I will report them and have successfully had runners disqualified from races. What I'm trying to do is preserve our wonderful sport of road racing.
i fail to see what the problem is, when running down a road there is plenty of room!! if somebody trips you then it is bad manners and or music too loud. personally i am aware of what is happening around me. having the volume down is no different from the bone conductors. I do not run marathons for atmosphere i run them to achieve a time target. regards
The problems caused by runners wearing headphones are much worse in longer races such as a marathon, as the runner tires they have less (or zero) consideration for anyone else.