Interesting article on Active.com about the growing tension between runners attached to their MP3 players and race officials who increasingly are enforcing a relatively new ban on them.
I suspect more races will follow Portland's lead and market themselves as friendly to runners who want, or need, their own music on the course. I was startled by a statistic (perhaps accurate, perhaps hyperbolic) that 60-70% of race fields now contain runners using music as a motivator/tool. That means the vast majority of races include runners tuned in to playlists or podcasts!
iPod Conflict Brews in Racing
16 comments:
I was a spectator last year at a marathon where one of the RD's was marching around lecturing people about their ipods. One woman was defiant and wore it anyway and didn't get the medal. Others took them off, but were so offended by the RD's attitude that they have resolved to never run that one again. It was a closed course, medium sized marathon, half and 5 mile. I never run with music so I don't care, but I understand some people really depend on it.
I can see the point of the elite group not wearing them though. It'd be like wearing them in a track meet...but I'm talking about the top 10 or so who are going for the big prize $$ or Olympic qualifying times.
Someone made a good point in the comments afterward though - if you want to wear them, then just choose races that allow them!
I guess it was bound to happen, since some races ban Mp3 players/Ipods, that other races would be Mp3/Ipod friendly. Now there's something for everyone.
Big Sur started the ban for the 2008 race, but it's pretty much unenforceable, so I suspect the majority of people will just use them anyway. It will be interesting to see what happens.
I don't see a problem with it. Now we have choices. If you don't like mp3 players, don't go in that race.
very interesting!
Good news for us runners in Oregon.
: )
I think it's so funny that this is such an issue. Sheesh people. Just wear your music low enough to be cautious. Problem solved :)
I really don't see the big deal of people wearing music on the run..
Mental toughness and all that jazz.. It so hard to enforce that rule anyway, and get annoyed by people who think it is a big deal to wear..
I agree with P.O.M.
I for one do not use I-Pods in a race. I like to hear what is going on around me. I just think it's safer.
I rarely use an ipod during a race anymore. But I applaud races that allow them! The Nike Women's Marathon is also one that allows them . After all - they are the ones promoting the Nike+iPod kit.
I tell you what ... let's ban ideal chatter by race participants. I'd take a race with 99.3% of the runners wearing iPods over a chatty group running directly behind me. Just because they can run my marathon pace without a care in the world, doesn't mean it's easy for me. Just shut up and run.
Well this has hit a nerve, me I don't care...just as long as you get out of my way when I say, "passing on your left"...or move your ass when I say "car/bike back." Enough said.
I don't really understand the ban, but don't really care when there is one either. I rarely use my iPod and would much rather take in the atmosphere of the race itself. If I was an iPod wearer I would probably pick a race that is iPod friendly.
i think most people who use ipods use them in races, ban or not. i know i have. in races where there are metal detectors, like the Army 10miler and other such things, they can enforce it.
all races make you sign waivers saying they're not responsible for you dying or getting injured during their race. if you miss their instructions because your ipod is on too loud, then that's your own damned fault. everyone who wears an ipod knows the "risks".
but i mean i am sure there are deaf people who run races too and like them i use my other senses to stay tuned into what is going on around me.
i NEED music, especially if I'm running alone! Go Portland.
phil! omg, i thought my ears would start bleeding at the army 10 miler if i had to hear any more mindless chatter!
and speaking of bans, if we MUST ban something, i'm voting for cell phones!
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