Not harsh, it's in the rules for a reason. I saw a woman nearly run down at a 10k on Sunday because she couldn't hear the shouts of "car!!!" from the runners behind her. Someone had to physically push her out of the way.
Its not just to be difficult, its for safety. If there are risks on the course which need mitigating by runners not wearing headphones and these are listed in the rules of the race, athen they should be DQed regardless of warnings.
Better a DQ than being injured because you couldn't hear a safety announcement or other runners coming through tripping you over.
If it was hidden in the small print then maybe you could describe it as harsh but seeing as they were warned then its their own fault for being stupid.
Regarding rules, isn't this now an EA regulation rather than at the discretion of race organisers? (I've not participated in an earphone debate for ages and my mind is failing.)
We disqualified 5 runners from the Solent Half Marathon last year. We had put up posters in the registration area, and also on our web, that any runners wearing ear phones, I pods etc. would be disqualified. Their times were included in the race results, but not their names. We will be doing the same for our Exbury 10k this year.
I was once DQ'd for wearing headphones even when I was not. Now THAT was harsh.
Seems an excited marshal noted the wrong number. Luckily they had a photographer so I found my pic on the website and sent it to the organisers who reinstated the time.
Not sure why I bothered but I was annoyed with being lumped in with the idiots who do wear headphones.
A character defect like wanton stupidity, it sounds like. Organisers: 'don't wear headphones or we'll definitely disqualify you'. Thick person: 'They won't really disqualify me... oh, I've been disqualified'.
it's about time that running caught up with triathlon - here's the rule that the BTF use
"8.1 Any equipment that acts as an impediment to hearing or concentration is prohibited from use during an event (including transition). This includes, but is not limited to, mobile telephones (which should be switched off if stored in transition); personal stereos and MP3 players"
most triathletes know this rule and obey it - but there are times as a race official that we have to tell people not to wear them or face a DQ, but you'll still get someone trying to sneak one out in their hand or pocket when they start the run section and then put them on when they think they're out of sight
I run in headphones if I am running alone, and have done for years, I have run many races where they have been banned, and never been challenged. If I was asked to remove them I would do, so being banned after a warning is not unfair.
Comments
If it's in the rules, then it's not harsh.
Personally, I'd have burned the headphones after disqualifying them.
Nope. If it's in the rules why do people think it doesn't apply to them?
And if they were warned and carried on it just makes them stupid.
Not harsh, you're there to run not to listen to music!
No, I think it's about time this started to happen.
Not harsh, it's in the rules for a reason. I saw a woman nearly run down at a 10k on Sunday because she couldn't hear the shouts of "car!!!" from the runners behind her. Someone had to physically push her out of the way.
Its not just to be difficult, its for safety. If there are risks on the course which need mitigating by runners not wearing headphones and these are listed in the rules of the race, athen they should be DQed regardless of warnings.
Better a DQ than being injured because you couldn't hear a safety announcement or other runners coming through tripping you over.
Not harsh at all, whether one likes the rules or not they are the ones signed up for when one entered.
As with everyone else, its not harsh at all. If its in the rules not to wear them and they were warned then its their own fault.
They probably couldn't hear the warnings!
Aaah but what about if they only have one earphone in, then they can hear instructions, ambulances etc. What about deaf people?
On a more sensible note, it's their race, stick by their rules.
good, I've seen a few incidents when people in headphones have caused problems. I would ban them from all events.
Regarding rules, isn't this now an EA regulation rather than at the discretion of race organisers? (I've not participated in an earphone debate for ages and my mind is failing.)
We disqualified 5 runners from the Solent Half Marathon last year. We had put up posters in the registration area, and also on our web, that any runners wearing ear phones, I pods etc. would be disqualified. Their times were included in the race results, but not their names. We will be doing the same for our Exbury 10k this year.
Finally!!!!! Good on the organisers. Hurrah!!
I was once DQ'd for wearing headphones even when I was not. Now THAT was harsh.
Seems an excited marshal noted the wrong number. Luckily they had a photographer so I found my pic on the website and sent it to the organisers who reinstated the time.
Not sure why I bothered but I was annoyed with being lumped in with the idiots who do wear headphones.
Deaf people don't usually wear earphones Graeme
So 20 in favour, 0 against and one case of mistaken identity.
I think you have your answer Darren.
fair enough
Indeed.
To disregard rules in such a 'doesn't apply to me' manner, indicates a possible character defect.
Would you trust them?
🙂
A character defect like wanton stupidity, it sounds like. Organisers: 'don't wear headphones or we'll definitely disqualify you'. Thick person: 'They won't really disqualify me... oh, I've been disqualified'.
GETTIN! Big up to the organisers. ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
it's about time that running caught up with triathlon - here's the rule that the BTF use
"8.1 Any equipment that acts as an impediment to hearing or concentration is prohibited from use during an event (including transition). This includes, but is not limited to, mobile telephones (which should be switched off if stored in transition); personal stereos and MP3 players"
most triathletes know this rule and obey it - but there are times as a race official that we have to tell people not to wear them or face a DQ, but you'll still get someone trying to sneak one out in their hand or pocket when they start the run section and then put them on when they think they're out of sight
I run in headphones if I am running alone, and have done for years, I have run many races where they have been banned, and never been challenged. If I was asked to remove them I would do, so being banned after a warning is not unfair.
He should have been DQ'd though.