I know in the rules of many triathlon races they prohibit the use of headphones. I assume this is a liability issue as well as potentially a marking of both the physical and mental qualities needed to finish a race of this magnitude. Bearing that in mind I have two questions:
Why do marathons many times allow the use of headphones.
Would having your iPhone or other device with a speaker play music using the external speaker while not having headphones in also be frowned upon or illegal?
Any other thoughts on this matter would be appreciated.
I have my first race coming up that allows headphones and I’m looking forward to it (a half marathon)!
For some reason a lot of people hate music on here. I posted a thread about it one time and was really surprised. I enjoy running to music, it is fun. When I want peace and quiet I go surfing. The ocean sounds are far more enjoyable to me the just regular neighborhood noise.
I almost got blindsided by a 100lb Rottweiler yesterday on a long training run. I never saw it coming, it was behind me running me down but was hit by a honda civic which saved me. Nothing like surprises!! I say wear headphones.
+100. Music would be a compelte distraction from what I’m trying to focus on. The few times I’ve tried music running, I couldn’t hear my breathing, feel my stride, and worse, just enjoying the moment. Yes I’m suffering, but it has it’s rewards.
Sorry, but I’m like most on here, if you need music, you’re doing it wrong and missing out on the whole point of it.
I am a marathoner who does tri’s and I listen to music in all of my run training and during every marathon.
Several years ago they tried to ban earphones/music in marathons. Nobody complied. Even when it was specifically prohibited, 50% of the field would have earphones. Now, very few of them ban earphones.
Tri’s have a couple of thousand participants. Many marathons have tens of thousands. If 40,000 people are running and half of them have earphones … it is too many to stop. Besides, what could they do? Give you a time penalty? That would have no impact on deterring me most of the time. In a tri it might, but not in a marathon. One guy I train with received 3 four minute penalties during the marathon on an Iron Distance race … but he didn’t care. Most of the time, I wouldn’t either.
In 2010 I ran a marathon where I planned to, and did, qualify for New York. They banned earphones. I didn’t want to risk my NYQ so I ran with a small speaker in my waist belt. It was legal. I like angry, profane music when I race. So if you ran near me … that is what you heard.
One guy I train with received 3 four minute penalties during the marathon on an Iron Distance race … but he didn’t care. Most of the time, I wouldn’t either.
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Isn’t that an automatic DQ at that point?
Just a WAG… but I’m guessing your probably not “racing” … as in a age group top 5, a top 5% overall finish, KQ.
I have seen people DQ’d on the spot either entering or exiting T2 with headphones. They were not allowed to continue (chip taken away by technical delegate).
one must be top 5% to race? Cant some of us race and just be slow
I didn’t mean that to be taken that way. It was directed at a specific person and I was just making a generalization that someone racing for a top place is not someone that is going to want the distraction of headphones. Everyone at all speeds has the option of racing, or just participating. I tend to think that with headphones, your more of a participant only, than a competitor.
I tend to think that with headphones, your more of a participant only, than a competitor.
I disagree. I run faster and maintain pace longer when listening to music. Every BQ and every running PR was done while listening to music. I am a BOP swimmer and KQ is not likely. I do not use earphones when I do an IM, but I do carry my phone in the ride & run portions … for safety and emergency use.
I tend to think that with headphones, your more of a participant only, than a competitor.
I disagree. I run faster and maintain pace longer when listening to music. Every BQ and every running PR was done while listening to music. I am a BOP swimmer and KQ is not likely. I do not use earphones when I do an IM, but I do carry my phone in the ride & run portions … for safety and emergency use.
Carrying a phone during the race for safety and emergency use is OK, as long as its turned off while on course; if you get off the course to make a call, you’re OK.
To the OP: having the phone or MP3 playing music while you’re on the course will either be a time penalty (typically the run course) or a disqualification (typically the bike course). If you are told about it on the run course, and continue to use it, then you can get a second time penalty, and a third one would be a disqualification.
Good discussion, and it seems there is a divide as expected. However, never really got an answer to my question, so I went out looking myself. Per USAT Competitive Rules, here is the source:
ARTICLE III: GENERAL RULES OF CONDUCT AND PENALTIES 3.4** Race Conduct. **All participants in USA Triathlon sanctioned events must adhere to the rules in this Section 3.4:
i. Unauthorized Accessories. No participant shall, at any time during the event, use or wear a hard cast, headset, radio, personal audio device, or any other item deemed dangerous by the Head Referee. Any violation of this Section shall result in a variable time penalty.
Similar rules also appear in Articles 5 & 6 (Cycling Conduct & Running Conduct)
