Given that many (if not most) recreational joggers and walkers are out on the open streets wearing iPods and chatting into cell phones, this seems an over-reaction. Why have this rule? Safety is one reason - to ensure racers can hear course officials, other racers, traffic, etc. But a second reason is to eliminate any unfair advantage of music pacing. For most walkers, who aren't looking to pick up a finish time award, this is moot. But music can be a huge motivator, especially when you are out on the marathon course for 6, 7, or 8 hours and all of the on-course bands stopped playing long before you got to their former location. Many walkers and runners also use the Nike + iPod Sport Kit to log their speed and time.
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Wear your ipod in one ear only and there will be no safety issue.
Why aren’t iPods allowed to all the walkers, then? I don’t get it.
If iPods help the walkers have their performance enhanced, and if it’s actually something very good and desirable because it’s natural and healthy, why not?
About the safety concern, I’d like to know if they forbid deaf people to compete.
This is ridiculous – I’ve been in four half marathons of all sizes and even though some of them said “no headphones” no one enforced it and I would have resented it if they did. e’re adults and should be responsible enough to keep the volume at a level where you can hear instructions or make a choice to deal with the consequences. Body language is also a good form of communication which can signal that something unusual is going on. These races need to lighten up and not forget who their customers are.
I second Allison! The only race on the east coast that I know of that actually searches you for IPODs is the Army 10 miler — which means I just won’t participate in that one. IPODs are integral to my enjoyment of a race — won’t soon forget run-walkign thru Disney World last month to the theme from “Rocky”!
Maybe this’ll get Apple to sponsor some iPod-friendly races… Seems to me that this could be some really good marketing on their part (or any other MP3 player maker – or maybe even more so since Apple is dominating that field…)
I just spoke with the Denver rep for the Avon Walk, scheduled for June 28 and 29, because I have been planning to enter this event, got all the info, etc. when I (thank you very much!) saw your article this morning. The rep confirmed that the event planners will not allow ipods in this charity walk (39 miles in two days). I asked when they were going to notify potential participants of this ridiculous rule? The day we show up, having raised $1800 each and having trained for months?
She said she didn’t think anyone would actually take my iPod away from me, but that the rules clearly forbid them, as well as walking sticks and other devices. I told her the last thing I wanted to do was be forced to behave like a teenager, doing something that is “forbidden”.
Tuis is ridiculous. It only serves to allow attorneys to find something more to do with their fee-based time! What about the safety issues of thousands of people walking at high altitude? Or the fact that there could be thunderstorms in the mounbtains during this event? We could find many many problems to provide us with a vehicle for more RULES!
I am so very disappointed to find that my first attempt at anything like a 40-mile walk has been thwarted in mid-training.
If you know of an iPod friendly event in Colorado, please let me know.
Joannah Merriman
Fort Collins, Co. 80524
I completed my 7th marathon in December. We were informed by the race director that anyone wearing ear phones would be disqualified. I’d done all my training with my IPOD and decided to risk it. Fortunately I wasn’t disqualified.
I think it is ridiculous to disallow MP3 players. Training for 2,3 or more hours is difficult. The accompaniment of music eases the pain.
At 52 years old, I’m of the generation that has challenged senseless rules. This too, we shall overcome.