Pine Belt Pacers Forum

A quick poll.... Do you agree with the banning of Ipods in marathon events?

You know I had to vote a BIG NO! If it becomes to hard to sneak the ipods in to a race, as stated before, I will be finished with marathons, probably with racing all together. The music or talk radio is a big part of my enjoyment out on the road. Stop depressing me with the thought of a ban.

I have never run a marathon, but are ipods problematic? I haven't really noticed them to be so in shorter races. The only time I have found there to be a problem, is on narrow areas or paths that I may be running. Sometimes it seems that the ipods tend to take up the whole area and the wearer can't seem to hear my heavy breathing!! However, I don't think they should be banned, unless you ban cell phones on Wesley's track when I am running. It seems that those cell phones take up the whole path too, and people struggle with that "walking/talking" and being courteous thing. Maybe those people should walk and talk on the shorter "walking" track. Oh, what a concept. Maybe we could have a course on "safety/courtesy on the trail/track." Sorry for babbling!!

Don't worry! the only marathon that enforces the Ipod ban is the Grandma's Marathon

The prohibition is related to the liability of insuring a race in which many people wear headphones, and apparently the USATF recently voted to refuse insurance to any race that allows iPods because "Participants wearing headphones are less aware of their surroundings"

As I said, training with music is great. Music in small events is also fine. The problem could be in big events (thousands of people running together). Most of the "Ipods runners" are fine and very aware of the surroundings. However, you just need a couple of distracted runners in a big race to get in trouble. Safety is a concern... Not for the person using the headphones but for those around them. People get cut off and cannot warn the offending runner, collisions occur at aid stations, instructions can’t be heard from race organizers and the police manning the race.
None of it is catastrophic, but the lack of attention of a person unable to hear the world around him/her can cause some accidents.

But at the end.... don't pay too much attention on what I am saying..... I'm just making noise in the forum

I am (at this point) the first not sure vote. Music has been banned in USAT (triathlon) events for as long as I have been competing (maybe always?). Consequently I never got in the habit of training with. (Besides they didn't have reasonably priced really small stuff when I started to train and compete in 2002).

There is no doubt in my mind that you don't want music on a bike. I rely to a great extent on my hearing on a bike, especially when I am on a road with traffic; even wind can be a problem.

If, as is anecdotally reported (I have yet to see actual facts or figures), runners who don't hear cause a problem in big races, then it is something that should be addressed for the safety of all. (I can't imagine personally wanting to have something so loud that it blocked out all sound.)
Unfortunately it may come down to being a small number of inconsiderate people causing a problem for a greater number of considerate and aware people. Having run only one mega sized marathon, I recall not only runners with headphones but also people talking on their cells during parts of the race. With traffic completely restricted, I didn't find it difficult to avoid (or go around) distracted runners, but depending on the width of the roads and the amount of traffic restriction, it could become more of an issue.

I guess, though, agreement or disagreement may be a moot issue if, as I read in one source, the ban is inspired by changes in event insurance policies (no insurance if music is allowed).

sheryl c.

For those of us who can't run without an MP3 player, all is not lost. Since I ran the Portland Marathon last year, I am on their e-mail list and I just received a notice from them that they will continue to allow MP3 players. This is their statement regarding the recent banning at some marathons regarding MP3 players.

"There will be no draconian measures taken against runners and walkers who train with MP3's and want to use them in our event. Spread the word: the Portland Marathon is the "Plug-in" marathon and is MP3 friendly!"

I can't believe they are the only marathon that will take this stance.

Terry

This is an old topic for discussion, but I found this regarding the Dallas White Rock Marathon:

iPod Policy Relaxed Based on Runner Input
iPods and Audio Devices No Longer Prohibited

Based on runner input, we have updated the guidelines on iPods and other audio devices and will no longer prohibit them. Since our course is a closed course during the term of the event, wearing an iPod WILL NOT result in disqualification in and by itself. If wearing an iPod or audio device results in you not hearing or obeying race instructions, you could be disqualified. We expect all participants to use good judgment and take responsibility for their actions should they wear an iPod or similar device during the race. We do ask that all participants be able to hear last minute instructions both at the start and finish lines, and that the ear buds be removed at these locations.