Interesting rule about ipods at a race

[FatElvis]

I've been planning to run the half at the Kansas City marathon on Oct 18, but due to some football scheduling (pffft, who wants to watch Iowa State & Nebraska, other than my husband and in-laws and all their friends and probably 60,000 other people), I'll be in Iowa that day and now I'm thinking of doing the half at the Des Moines marathon, which is Sunday Oct 19.

And I don't know why I felt the need to give you that disclaimer, but ANYWAY.... I was looking at the DM race website and found this:

Q: May I wear headphones on the course?

A: USATF Rule 144.3(b) prohibits the use of technical devices in USATF sanctioned races. i-Pods, Walkman's and other earpiece music players fall within the guidelines of Rule 144.3(b).

The IMT Des Moines Marathon encourages you to educate yourself about the safety hazards associated with the use of music devices while running. Although Rule 144.3(b) is intended to apply to sanctioned track and field events, it is being enforced by some of the larger long distance road races across the United States.

The IMT Des Moines Marathon is a USTAF sanctioned race and does adhere to the Rules of Competition as laid out by USATF. However, Rule 144.3(b) is intended to serve as a guideline for road races, allowing each event to determine how to interpret and enforce Rule 144.3(b).

You will not be disqualified or removed from the IMT Des Moines Marathon course for using a personal music device on race day. Please be extra cautious and mindful of the volume of your music and your presence on the course as it relates to athletes and spectators around you.

The IMT Des Moines Marathon will do what it can to keep you informed of the latest developments regarding USATF Rule 144.3(b).


I hope this doesn't spark any big debate (the ipod topic tends to on some running boards) but I'd just never heard that interpretation before - that the USATF rule applies to track & field and not strictly to a road race. Huh.

Still not sure if I'll take mine there or not - in a long race like that I'd rather just enjoy the experience and talk to people. But at the same time, not knowing anyone else who'll be there, I may be glad I had it to get me through the tough parts.

 

[solotraveler]

Well, I tend to believe that this "interpretation" has less to do with anything set up by the USATF, but more to do with the sheer inability to enforce it in a race with thousands upon thousands of people.

That said, I really wish more road races would get serious about not allowing headphones on course. In a race, you really really need to be aware of what's going on around you and to hear and race instructions on course.

In the 2008 WDW Full, a volunteer made a big error and did not route the wheelchair racers onto the correct course after their start, which caused them to come up behind all the other participants on course at about mile 3. Lots of commotion obviously and people bailing out of the way, but you could obviously see many iPod wearers totally oblivious to what was going on around them, thus making a dangerous situation even more dangerous.

Besides, part of the run of the race is talking with your fellow runners, the cheers of the crowd and other sights and sounds, right?

(Caveat: I do LOVE my iPod and wear it to train..... I just think racing without it is a safer (and more fun!) idea....)

Kevin

 

[KeenHo]

Kevin: I hope you remember who was running with you when that all went down.

 

[Duanerice]

I know I took mine to Disney and listened to it about 10 minutes total. But in a local half I listened to it almost the entire race. I do wear it at all races over 5K. Sometimes I turn it on sometimes I don't.

I too saw the wheelchair people struggle to get by. I can't blame it on the IPods. I didn't have mine on and still wasn't sure what was going on. It wasn't until these guys were right up to you that you realized what was going on. You just didn't expect it.

enjoy,
Duane

 

[MomofCKJ]

I train with my iPod and wondered what to do about the Half in January. I've never run a big race, just a local 5K, and didn't know if it would be frowned upon. I was planning to bring it but had heard there was a lot going on in the race so I might not even need it.

And I love your Kenneth Blanchard quote in your siggie!

Allyson

 

[dsnyfan21]

I have worn a mp3/ipod for training and some local 5k's. I have NOT worn it for any of the Halfs that I have done. I just don't see the need. Their is alot going on at the ones that I have done (WDW, Miami ING, A1A and DL) I have also witnessed an incedent at the A1A where I was behind another walker who had on her earphones and the bike and wheelchair person were coming up behind us on a one lane street in a park that had mangrove trees on both sides. I heard them coming and moved to the very right side and I said to the lady to move over and she never heard me. When they got up to her and tried to go around her, she jumped because they scared her. The bike person got pushed off to the side and brushed the trees and she fluttered back and forth and then the wheelchair person finally got by. She was a bit flustered, I told her that I tried to worn her but because she had her earphones in she didn't hear me. I then kindly recommended for her to at least keep one earphone out for safety but she just blew it off. Also, I just think you miss out on the WHOLE experience of the race, the surroundings, the people cheering and the people in the race. I was just at the DL half and tried on occasion to speak to people I was near to in the race. That is one of the great parts of the race. About 5 people that I spoke to never spoke back and as I got next to them I realized that they had earphones in and I just gave up and moved on to the next person. Just my own two cents, but for 13.10 miles I think its hard to be stuck in your "own" world, just you and your Ipod.
But of course, do what you feel you need to do, just keep the volumne low and/or only put one earphone in for safety sake.

TRacy

 

[JimB.]

I (when I use my mp3 player) use a brand of ear piece called "Airdrives". They rest on top of the ear, not in the ear canal like most earbuds do.

Due to this, they allow me to hear surrounding noise & carry on a conversation in a normal tone of voice.

Good news: They work great. Bad News: They cost a lot.

I have seen some races advertise that they will allow these and prohibit others.

 

[mkymsehi]

I have worn a mp3/ipod for training and some local 5k's. I have NOT worn it for any of the Halfs that I have done. I just don't see the need. Their is alot going on at the ones that I have done (WDW, Miami ING, A1A and DL) I have also witnessed an incedent at the A1A where I was behind another walker who had on her earphone and the bike and wheelchair person were coming up behind us on a one lane street in a park that had mangrove trees on both sides. I heard them coming and moved to the very right side and I said to the lady to move over and she never heard me. When they got up to her and tried to go around her she then jumped because they scared her. The bike person got pushed off to the side and brushing the trees and she fluttered back and forth and then the wheelchair person finally got by. She was a bit flustered, I told her that I tried to worn her but because she had her earphones in she didn't hear me. I then kindly recommended for her to at least keep one earphone out for safety but she just blew it off. Also I just think you miss out on the WHOLE experience of the race, the surroundings, the people cheering and the people in the race. I was just at the DL half and tried on occasion to speak to people I was near to at point in the race. That is one of the great parts of the race. About 5 people that I spoke to never spoke back and as I got next to them I realized that they had earphones in and I just gave up and moved on to the next person. Just my own two cents, but for 13.10 miles I think its hard to be stuck in your "own" world just you and you Ipod.
But of course, do what you feel you need to do, just keep the volumne low and/or only put one earphone in for safety sake.

TRacy

New nickname, Chatty Tracy.

I wear just one earplug when training and racing. Volume is on the low side, so I can hear cars and others around me.

The airdrives were on sale at the Disneyland Half EXPO, but a bit out of my price range, since I usually beat up my gear. They looked good though, two of my friend bought them.

 

[ironz]

Tracy...I totally agree!

I even hate it when I'm at a race to cheer people, and they are so immersed in their Ipod, they don't hear me. So I won't cheer for people who have headphones/earbuds on anymore.

I don't run with mine much, because I mostly do triathlon, and they are a definite no-no in those races. have seen many penalties assessed.

 

[cdn_gal_eeyore]

I was really surprised to see quite a few participants in my last triathlon wearing headphones. Normally those are a huge no-no but I think that bit of information got omitted at the pre-race meeting. I was passing a girl on a bike and she was oblivious to me shouting that I was on her left. Wouldn't you want to hear/know if there was a car coming up behind you? I then tried to cheer on a girl who was obviously struggling on the run portion as I passed her, but she didn't hear a thing. Sigh...

 

[lenshanem]

I also wear Airdrives. I gave a review of them on here before -
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1697476&page=1&highlight=airdrives

I plan on taking my ipod to the Half in January. I'll probably not use it, but I'd like to have it just in case I need it for the boring parts.

 

[3DisneyKids]

This is a tough one for me. I know all of the reasons (safety and respectfulness, etc.) for not wearing headphones during a race, but I have my first half in 2 weeks and I can't imagine NOT having my iPod. I swear, it is the only thing that gets me through my runs. I don't think I would make it even 10 minutes without it.

I am planning on doing the one-ear-only method so as to make sure to hear what I need to hear...but What do you all think?

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I use mine on the trail, but I keep volume lower so I can hear around me. I hate it when someone comes up and I don't hear them.

I also carry mine on the full and have found that on the halfs I can manage without and just trudge along or chat with others. Some halfs are not easy to chat up folks but I can manage to be without for those. It's the full that I need to have the security of my tunes even if I don't use it I like to take it with me.

 

[pyrxtc]

I'm still trying to convince my DH to not wear his everytime he runs so he gets use to it but it's not happening yet. Even if he didn't ahve it on, chances that he would carry on a conversation when he runs is 0 to Nil.

 

[Lynn G]

I use an I-POD, but I have always used just one ear piece so that I could hear what is going on around me. I did pick up the airdrive's at the DL Expo, and wore them for the DL half. I really liked them, could still hear what was going on around me. Of course, I always have the music on low, and can only hear it when there is nothing else going on - but that is when I need to hear it!

 

[scoolover]

I'm with Jeff. I just put in one ear plug and let the right one dangle so I can hear traffic when training. I will probably bring it to Disney but I am sure that I won't use it. I do have a quick tempo song list that is 23 minutes long. It is supposed to help me break 23 in a 5K. It hasn't happened yet.

 

[mkymsehi]

I was thinking about this subject after my last post.

Disney supposedly bans music devices, yet Airdrives are sold at their race expos. I guess if a company dishes out enough money to rent a table at the expo, Disney doesn't really care that you buy them and use them.

FYI- use the code for free shipping if ordering Airdrives online

"PLAYAWARE"