This weekend I ran in a relay event in Stockport, which was a good event and enjoyable for various reasons.
The only problem was the officails.
I like to race with my MP3 player, as I am sure many others do. Whilst warming up I was asked if I intended to race with them in, I said yes, he said I would be disqualified, I said there was no need to be so officious, and another joined in quoting rules about needing to be able hear the marshalls.
I did not use them, but a friend in an earlier race did, and was told at the end she might be DQed, not the thing to say to someone who has just slogged their guts out for a club team.
There are two issues I have with this pettiness. As grown adults who have survived many years with headphones in 10k and longer races why is it not my responsibility to hear a marshall.
Second, if I was had a hearing problem and would not hear a marshall, would I be unable to race?
99.99% I think run and race because we enjoy it, and there are not many rules, why should AAA apply the rules of professionals to the likes of me, who will never run for GB and rarely for a club.
Whinge over. But I am sure the officials at road and fell races that I am used to, could give these track people some advice on why people run. If I was a child being treated in this way I would leave athletics. I have seen them in action at junior school events with no sense of who they are dealing with.
Definitely over. I have to get a life.
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My car broke down last week and the b*****ds left me on the side of the M1 for 2 hrs.
I will get a life by thanking every marshall I see if my next race.
Have had many run ins with the AAA over various things over the years, adding levies to races, running unauthorised runners etc etc etc - the only saving grace is that they are all about 109 years old and can't be around much longer!
BTA rules are the same and NO-ONE races with MP3 player and the like.
Hearing problem? most use a hearing aid(allowed cos it does actualy help you hear peeps) or use a "hearing" runner.
Sorry but the marshalls should be thanked not shouted at.
Dogs - they are okay
Religion - I do not believe in it
Ipods - no part in any race under any circumstances
you sure about that Taff?? saw a guy at the Vit running with his on.......
I think some of the problem at tris is down to the race referee stating this fact - many do in the race briefing (assuming you get a race briefing that is!) but many don't.........
personally I think they should be banned but equally I think the ban should be mentioned at either a race briefing, or at least in the race pack...........ignorance is then no excuse and you can't say you haven't been told............if you're not told then fair enuff - race at your own risk and peril..........
Ok one or two will sneak through. As you say they resposiblity. If i have an accident invloveing a wearer I would be slightly p8ssed off.
SVT
more informal denomintaion........Think i may export him to vegas.
It is against the rules and it can clearly be a danger. I've been in races with ambulances trying to get past runners who are oblivious to it as they're plugged in.
Surely if you're racing for a club you should be aware of the rules ?
If you dont want to talk to anyone, stay in.
In a race environment however, it's just rude.
I'm a really slow runner. If I'm doing a marathon I'm going to be out there a long time, often on my own. I prefer to chat to other runners, but if I'm on my own my iPod helps me keep going. I switch it off if people are around or I'm in traffic, and I monitor my surroundings. Why should I be banned from using something which helps me and doesn't interfere with others?
I'm obviously not a club runner, and I've never been told I can't use my iPod. Is it different for us plodders?
The results arent on the noeaa website yet, does anyone have an idea who the top 3 clubs where?
Usually the same sort of tool who wears a Garmin in a race. There's a marker every kilometre/mile you feckwit!
sometines there arent mile/km markers
this is another can of worms--------
but i do wear a garmin
You just wont have heard it.
:-)))
But then again if you think that Garmins and Ipods perform the same function then I know you have no idea what you are talking about.
and I find any jokes about hearing or lack of it to be in extremely bad taste as both my parents were profoundly deaf and I have heard much worse.
Is it not unlike stabilisers on a bicycle when you learn to ride? At some point you have to take them off and do it on your own?
I ran a 5K recently and there were people wearing IPods. I mean, come on.